Authorities are searching for a New York college sophomore who disappeared over a week ago. Saniyya was last seen leaving her dorm on Buffalo States campus on April 24, but her cell phone was later pinged near Goat Island in Niagara Falls. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Dennis, 19, was last seen on April 24 leaving her residence hall around 11:30 p.m., according to University Police. MORE | Family of missing Buffalo State student calls for communitys help, offers reward for students whereabouts. He is a native of Fremont. "Understandably, emotions are high right now, but I want to be clear that our department will not rest until Saniyya is found. There has been no cellphone electronic activity since then and no financial activity or other communication with family or friends, Buffalo State Police Chief Peter Carey said. The investigation found no evidence of criminality in the case. "Temple's current leadership has consistently treated it as a PR problem first, safety second, and I think they have their priorities backward," said Brian Hart, a 2012 Temple graduate. In that conversation, Dennis said she was going to jump off a bridge. Family is offering a $10,000 reward for information about missing 19-year-old Buffalo StateCollegestudent Saniyya Dennis, as searches conducted near Niagara Falls in upstate New York over the weekend turned up empty more than one week after her disappearance. Flynn said investigators will not definitively know what happened to Dennis until her body is found and an autopsy is conducted. Understandably, emotions are high right now, but I want to be clear that our department will not rest until Saniyya is found," Carey said in an updated statementreleased Saturday, after family expressed frustration about the pace of the investigation. Multiple agencies have been involved in the search for Dennis, and the search will continue until shes found. Dennis parents were notified of the investigations findings Wednesday afternoon, the DA said. On the first bus, Flynn said Dennis was alone, but she eventually got onto another bus and got off at a stop near the Niagara Falls Visitor Center. appreciated. M issing for over a week, family and friends continue to search for 19-year-old Buffalo State student Saniyya Dennis. Our one and only goal in this investigation is to locate Saniyya and reconnect her with her family, UPD Chief Peter Carey said in a statement Saturday. While authorities have not located the 19-year-old's body, they were able to reach that conclusion based on a timeline of her last hours. The Buffalo State College sophomore was last seen leaving her dorm room on April 24th, but. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. We will be out here every single day for you until we find you because you deserve that.. College student from Bronx missing from Buffalo State - ABC7 New York Niagara Falls was in the background. There exists no evidence that it came from Saniyya A person named Keith K posted it via social media days later. John Flynn, the district attorney in Erie County, said officials have not discovered the body of 19-year-old Saniyya Dennis but said "evidence suggests" she took her own life. Clothing items, a cell phone was found, a bracelet was found all of these could be the utmost importance because we have absolutely no information on what happened to Saniyya Dennis, added Stevens. Erie Countys Crisis Hotline is available 24 hours a day: 716-834-3131. (Source: WPXI/ROSS TOWNSHIP POLICE/CNN) Odd, Flynn held his conference days before Mothers Day without any regard for the Dennis family, the statement said. All rights reserved. The 19-year-old was last seen leaving her dorm room at SUNY Buffalo State College on April 24, authorities said. The body, believed to be that of a missing Buffalo State College student, was found in a shallow grave Friday morning in a wooded area near Snow's Marina on the Lake Erie shoreline, police said . Officials. It was unclear what the personal items were. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Anyone with information that may be of assistance to the investigation is asked to contact Buffalo States University Police Department at (716) 878-6333 or police@buffalostate.edu. Legal Statement. Family Intensifies Search For Missing Buffalo State Honor Student She was last seen leaving her . Dennis, 19, was. Investigators said her cellphone left the network about 1:20 a.m. April 25, which means it was either destroyed or powered off. If you or someone you know are struggling with suicidal thoughts,click here for resources. Efforts to reach Dennis' family by phone numbers listed for them were unsuccessful Monday. Saniyya I. Dennis, a Bronx native, was last seen April. Yesterday afternoon, members of my office met with the family of Saniyya Dennis to provide an update on the investigation into her disappearance. A missing New York college student who disappeared last month is believed to have died by suicide, authorities said Thursday. Dennis, a sophomore at Buffalo State College, disappeared after leaving her dorm on April 24. Saturday, the search for her continued, with family and friends again canvassing Niagara Falls State Park and the surrounding area. "Those of us who met Saniyya know her as a bright honors student and a beautiful young woman with a big heart and a promising future in her field (mechanical engineering technology). A Pennsylvania woman who has been missing for more than 30 years is found alive in an adult care home in Puerto Rico. Parents of missing Buffalo State student 'very concerned' about - MSN "The dogs came out yesterday, and today they had the helicopter for the search.". The family of Saniyya Dennis, a Buffalo State College sophomore who's been missing for over a week, pleaded with authorities and the public to help them in their search. The 19-year-old was last seen on April 24. Dennis was last seen on New York State Park Police cameras shortly after midnight walking toward Goat Island, where her phone last pinged, Flynn said. Around 1 a.m., Dennis took a Snapchat selfie near the Nikola Tesla monument. No all I can do is present you everything I have.. Missing Buffalo State student's parents 'very concerned' about their Katherine Conway-Turner, the president of Buffalo State College, expressed her support to Dennis' friends and family on Thursday. Buffalo firefighter dies while battling downtown blaze - ABC News Market data provided by Factset. This was around 11 p.m. You can watch DA Flynns full news conference below. Dennis family also alleged the college minimized her disappearance as nonurgent conflicting with the district attorneys assertion she died by suicide and accused Flynn of misrepresenting evidence during his news conference, including the video confirming she was in Niagara Falls State Park. Buffalo State University Police says. Dennis, 19, was last . Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on Twitter: @danimwallace. She may be caught in the jagged rocks there.". Missing students are rare at Buffalo State. According to the WSP, 49-year-old Denell Kelly . BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) Thursday morning, Erie County District Attorney John Flynn provided an update on the disappearance of Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis. @DAErieCountyNY says #saniyyadennis parents are unaccepting their daughter committed suicide. At 12:19 a.m., the male friend called her and they spoke for 45 minutes, Flynn said. NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) People in Western New York are not giving up their search for Saniyya Dennis, the college student who went missing last week. Saniyya Dennis, 19, has been missing since Saturday night. At this time, we believe that Saniyya traveled alone from the Buffalo State College campus by NFTA bus to Niagara Falls State Park where the evidence suggests that she took her own life during the early morning hours of Sunday, April 25, 2021. Her boyfriend was in New York City the entire time, and is not considered a suspect in her disappearance. Saniyya, originally from the Bronx in New York City, is described as a Black female who is 5-foot-3,weighs about125 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text a crisis counselor at 741741, or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Market data provided by Factset. Missing Buffalo State student Saniyya Dennis. This story has been shared 106,229 times. University Police said it is working with the family and several other agencies in its search, including the City of Niagara Falls Police, Erie County Sheriffs Office and Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) Police. Wilson Wong is a culture and trends reporter for NBC News Digital. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The teen spent hours on the phone with Dennis and talked her down from her plan at one point, but she apparently followed through on her threat after hopping on a bus to the Niagara Falls Visitor Center. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. As student remains missing, family airs frustration | WBFO The family of a SUNY Buffalo State College student who has been missing since Saturday, April 24 is asking the public for help in finding her. That evening, Dennis and her friend stayed on the phone together for about four hours. A Warner Bros. Did you encounter any technical issues? Buffalo State Police said it obtained surveillance footage of Saniyya at the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) bus terminal in downtown Buffalo, WGRZ reported. University Police first reported her disappearance on Wednesday and posted her picture on its website and social media pages. Buffalo State University and its police did not perform a wellness check until almost two calendar days after Saniyyas disappearance and more than a business day after our formal request. (Buffalo State College). At least 12 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 18; more than a dozen missing, 3 children killed, 2 others wounded at Texas home, Man charged for alleged involvement in 2 transformer explosions, Nikki Haley slams potential GOP contenders, and Trump and George W. 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Agencies working the case include: New York State Police, NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services Clearinghouse, NYS Park Police, City of Buffalo Police, City of Niagara Falls Police, Erie County Sheriffs Office, Erie Crime Analysis Center, Erie County District Attorneys Office, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) Police, Niagara Regional Police, Amtrak Police, and the United States Secret Service. Search continues for missing Buffalo State student Saniyya Dennis "That's a possibility.". She also defended the University Police Chief Peter Carey, saying he and his officers have been working tirelessly to locate Saniyya. "My mother always says shes a creature of habit When she comes to visit my mother in the city or comes to visit our family she lets her know when shes running late or lets her know who shes going to be with, what time she expects to be home.". NFTA, Buffalo State Police not releasing NFTA video of Saniyya - WGRZ Temple University leadership under fire as concerns over safety grow Missing Buffalo student Saniyya Dennis appears to have died of - PIX11 She was by herself. Missing Buff State student sought in Falls - Niagara Gazette Dennis, 19, was last seen on April 24 leaving her residence hall around 11:30 p.m., according to University Police. She was a mechanical engineer major. Im so done with my own life, and living it, the text read, according to WIVB. Published: Mar. The male friend called Dennis, who picked up and said she was going to jump off a bridge, according to the DA. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. It appears that this poor girl took her own life,Erie County District Attorney John Flynnsaidat a news conferenceThursday morning. Buffalo State remains in close consultation with and is supporting the Dennis family," Carey said in a statement this weekend. Dennis, who is from the Bronx, is described as 5 feet, 3 inches tall, approximately 125 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes. May 3 (UPI) --Local, federal and collegiate authorities are ramping up efforts to find a student from New York state who's now been missing for more than a week, officials said Monday.Buffalo . THE BRONX, N.Y. The family of Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis, who disappeared from campus two weeks ago, released a scathing statement Friday night refuting the local district. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. "It appears that this poor girl took her own life," Erie County District Attorney John Flynn told reporters during a morning news conference. Flynn said dogs searching the area in Niagara Falls State Park lost Dennis' scent near the water's edge. Officials are asking anyone with information regarding the investigation to contact the University Police Department at Buffalo State College. "It appears that this poor [] Officials: Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis 'took her own life', U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. I feel awful that I dont have a conclusion, obviously.. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The family of Saniyya Dennis, a Buffalo State College sophomore who's been missing for over a week, pleaded with authorities and the public to help them in their search. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A Buffalo State student is still missing, a week after she was last seen on campus. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Around Midnight, Dennis texted her mother, telling her she loves her and that shell call her the next day. The teens parents, meanwhile, had demanded answers last week on why more wasnt being done to find the missing mechanical engineering major, the Buffalo News reported. Prosecutors say it appears 19-year-old Saniya Dennis took her own life. Saniyya Dennis, 19, is a sophomore who was. Thank you to all who have assisted in the search to find Saniyya. Buffalo State College Police Chief Peter Carey, told reporters that a K-9 search took place Friday afternoon and due to weather conditions they could not fly a helicopter to help with the search. Saniyya Dennis, 19, was last seen leaving her dorm room at the SUNY Buffalo State College on April 24, the University Police Department said in a news release. Prosecutors say Dennis' boyfriend was in New York City at the time and is not a suspect. 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Authorities and volunteer search teams are still franticly searching for 19-year-old Saniyya Dennis. A Buffalo State College student missing since last month may have thrown herself from Niagara Falls after her boyfriend broke up with her, authorities said Thursday. A Buffalo State College student missing since last month may have thrown herself from Niagara Falls after her boyfriend broke up with her, authorities said Thursday. Missing woman found alive after more than 30 years; family reacts Heres a list of where to volunteer in NYC: Lex Lumpkin talks about new show The Watchful Eye, Debunking food safety myths with a chefs help, Fun, easy Holi-inspired crafts to try with kids, Spot warning signs of teens declining mental health, Simple spring break cocktails to make at home, Patrick Kane to make Rangers debut against Senators, Rangers KAndre Miller suspended 3 games for spitting, Kane incoming? Around 1 a.m., the teen took a Snapchat selfie near the Nikola Tesla monument with Niagara Falls in the background, according to Flynn. Legal Statement. 2. Family and supporters of missing Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis have been looking for leads in the case in Niagara Falls. In fact, we specifically addressed that issue with law enforcement days before Mr. Flynn took over the case, the statement said of the video. Please enter valid email address to continue. Saniyya Dennis, a Buffalo State College student, has been missing since she was captured on surveillance video leaving her residence hall on April 24. Anyone with information is asked to contact (716) 878-6333. pic.twitter.com/9saaPYPeOv. I feel awful for the parents, he said. Wilson Wong. It appears this poor girl took her own life, Flynn says. Minutes after that text, her cellphone left the cellular network, meaning it was either powered off or destroyed, according to officials. University Police has circulated her information statewide to police agencies and hospitals through the New York State Missing Persons Clearinghouse. She has a good heart.. This is not of her nature," Saniyyas sister, Keyora Dennis, said at a recent press conference Friday. Saniyya Dennis, the 19-year-old SUNY Buffalo State College who went missing last month, died by apparent suicide, according to officials. For more information, visit CrisisServices.org. Julia Stevens, with Allies for Black Justice, organized several search parties in recent days focused on Goat Island, where police said Saniyya's phone last pinged at 1:23 a.m. on April 25, WKBWreported. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. She has dark brown hair and brown eyes. Campus police are working with a variety of local, state and federal agencies to locate Dennis, according to UPD. These dismissive acts caused victim blaming and shaming. "She was a good friend, a good person. BUFFALO, N.Y. Family and friends of a missing Buffalo State student are hoping that she is found safely. This is not of her nature.. Saniyya Dennis, 19, was last seen on the SUNY Buffalo State College campus on April 24, the. Anyone with information about the search for Vandergrift is asked to call SFPD Tip Line at 415-575 . New York authorities are searching for missing Buffalo State - CNN In a statement released earlier in the week, Buff State President Katherine Conway-Turner called Saniyya a lovely young woman with a bright future ahead. With all due respect, a star in the midnight sky is more visible than Saniyya appears in that purported video.. That video has not been made public. Information can also be shared through the University Police anonymous tip line at (716) 878-3166, or by calling the NYS Missing Persons Clearinghouse at (800) 346-3543, police said. She was last seen. Julia Stevens, who is part of the activist group, Allies for Black Justice, led a search party Friday and distributed posters around the area of the park where the cellphone ping took place. Vandergrift is a radio host for Wild 94.9, where Yi is a host as well. If this was somebody else's kid, I think it wouldve happened like this," Calvin Byrd, Dennis's father, said at the news conference. There is a possibility that we may never find a body, Flynn said, adding that Dennis may gotten caught in the jagged rocks near Niagara Falls. Mycalia Raine Wilson was last seen at approximately 11:35 p.m. on Tuesday night at the family home, police said. While authorities have not recovered her body, they believe Dennis died by suicide based on the timeline of her last hours. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. BREAKING: Missing Buffalo State student Saniyya Dennis died of suicide Family said Saniyya is an honor student studying mechanical engineering. Multiple law enforcement agencies and numerous volunteers were involved in a search for Dennis following her disappearance. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Several minutes later, her phone left her cellular network. May 8, 2021 / 8:30 AM Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. I feel awful for the parents, he said. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. "There is a possibility that if we believe what happened happened, we may never find her body," he said. Saniyya Dennis, 19, was last seen on the SUNY Buffalo State College campus on April 24, the University Police Department (UPD) told CNN. Contact Crisis Services 24-hour hotline for support: 716-834-3131. Julia Stevens went on to say, If Saniyya is out there and shes watching these efforts, if shes in danger or incapacitated we would say dont give up hope, we are leaving no stone unturned. Saniyya Dennis,. Hours later, Dennis told a friend she was going to jump off a bridge and took a selfie with Niagara Falls in the background. Missing Buffalo student's family refutes suicide claim by DA Flynn said she got into an argument with her boyfriend, which ended with him breaking up with her. Missing SUNY Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Anyone with information that may be of assistance to the investigation is asked to contact Buffalo States University Police Department at (716) 878-6333 or police@buffalostate.edu. Dennis walked toward a garbage can on campus and threw away "personal items that would lead someone to believe that she was not returning to the dorm," he said. NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) People in Western New York are not giving up their search for Saniyya Dennis, the college student who went missing last week. BUFFALO, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- There's a tragic update on a missing college student from the Bronx. ", Saniyya worked two jobs. "We want to make sure that her face is everywhere," Stevens told ABC Buffalo affiliate WKBW, "that everywhere you go in Niagara Falls you know to look out for this girl.". The crash was reported around 2:30 p.m. near Trident Tech on Rivers Avenue. But that was not true, according to cell phone records. BUFFALO, N.Y. The family of a Buffalo State College student missing since late April will hold a balloon launch Monday to mark her 20th birthday. Despite the evidence, the DA said the search for Dennis will continue. A large group of volunteers searched for Dennis over the weekend at Niagara Falls State Park near Goat Island, where police said her phone last pinged, the station reported. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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