This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A Buffalo State student is still missing, a week after she was last seen on campus. Dennis, a sophomore at Buffalo State College, disappeared after leaving her dorm on April 24. (Courtesy Dennis family) Flynn said on the afternoon of April 24, Dennis got into an argument with her boyfriend in New York City. I also want to thank the Buffalo State community, members of the media, and residents from Western New York and beyond who have participated in the search and shared information about her case., Buffalo State Counseling Center: (716) 878-4436, Employee Assistance Program (EAP): (716) 878-6699, Reach Out SUNY NYS COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline: 1-844-863-9314, SUNY Crisis Text Line: Text GOT5U to 741-741, Crisis Services of Buffalo (24/7): (716) 834-3131, Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK), option 1, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK), Spectrum Health & Human Services: (716) 710-5172, C.A.R.E.S. About 20 minutes later, she texted a male friend, telling him that she spoke with her mom and was on her way back to Buffalo. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Saniyya Dennis, 19, was last seen on the SUNY Buffalo State College campus on April 24, the. We've received your submission. 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. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Marianne Williamson opens long shot 2024 challenge, Officials provide update on fatal fire, cause still, Fix it! BUFFALO, N.Y. Family and friends of a missing Buffalo State student are hoping that she is found safely. In that conversation, she had said she was reconsidering what she said about suicide, and was feeling better than she was earlier. BUFFALO, N.Y. Nearly two weeks after the disappearance of Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis, officials announced Thursday they believe the Bronx teen might have taken her own. During a news conference Friday, Dennis' family criticized police for not moving fast enough and stalling a search party. CNN Authorities are searching for a New York college sophomore who disappeared over a week ago. BUFFALO, New York (WABC) -- A SUNY Buffalo State College student from the Bronx who has. Milford . Just before the news conference ended, the police acknowledged they had security video from the bus depot that showed Dennis and they were only able to get her cellphone records on April 27. 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. Some are going to say without a body, do youdefinitelyknow that she took her own life? Flynn continued. 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. The 19-year-old was last seen leaving her dorm room at SUNY Buffalo State College on April 24, authorities said. A 19-year-old SUNY Buffalo State College sophomore has been missing for more than a week, according to the university and her family. Minutes after that text, her cellphone left the cellular network, meaning it was either powered off or destroyed, according to officials. 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. Bush, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Alex Murdaugh trial: What to know about the double murder case, University Police Department at Buffalo State College, NTSB to investigate in-flight turbulence that left 1 passenger dead, Pittsburgh woman missing for 31 years found alive in Puerto Rico. 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. His screenshot of her alleged storyline is not dated and has no time, video or chat from her, the family statement said. or redistributed. IE 11 is not supported. All rights reserved. JSCO says if you see the vehicle or the missing women, then please call or text 911, and any information about their whereabouts should go to ECSO Dispatch at 541-776-7206. They asked Flynn not to use to words committed suicide. He slept on it and chose to say Saniyya took her own life.. Flynn said all of this information had been communicated to Dennis parents on Wednesday afternoon. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Investigators initially said Dennis may have been in the Western New York area or traveled to Yonkers, just north of the Bronx. That evening, Dennis and her friend stayed on the phone together for about four hours. Dogs were trained to pick up her scent. "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.". After talking for about an hour, Dennis later told him she was on the bus returning home, which, according to phone records, the DA said was not true. 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. The district attorney said Dennis had multiple conversations about suicide the day she disappeared and was captured by park cameras inside Niagara Falls State Park that night. Authorities are continuing their search for a missing New York college student who disappeared more than a week ago. Saniyya Dennis, a Buffalo State College student, has been missing since she was captured on surveillance video leaving her residence hall on April 24. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is also available 24 hours a day: 1-800-273-8255. She was last seen April 24 leaving her dorm at Buffalo State College. These dismissive acts caused victim blaming and shaming. 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. 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 a mechanical engineer major. The Buffalo State College sophomore was last seen leaving her dorm room on April 24th, but. Saniyya I. Dennis, a Bronx native, was last seen April. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. While authorities have not recovered her body, they believe Dennis died by suicide based on the timeline of her last hours. The last time Dennis was seen on video was around 12:17 a.m. She was seen on park cameras on the bridge along Goat Island Road. Latisha Dennis says she will put up. My office and our partners in law enforcement have found no evidence of any criminality in this case. Investigators said her cellphone left the network about 1:20 a.m. April 25, which means it was either destroyed or powered off. 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. Dennis parents, multiple agencies and local residents had been involved in anearly two-week searchfor the student. Missing SUNY Buffalo State College student Saniyya Dennis. Family said she handed in a school assignment before catching a bus to Niagara Falls. Saniyya Dennis, 19, is a sophomore who was. At 12:19 a.m., the male friend called her and they spoke for 45 minutes, Flynn said. For nearly two weeks, search parties have combed through Niagara Falls in the hopes of finding Saniyya Dennis. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Campus police are working with a variety of local, state and federal agencies to locate Dennis, according to UPD. A missing New York college student who disappeared last month is believed to have died by suicide, authorities said Thursday. The family chastised Flynn for putting forth a narrative that was an easy sell without considering alternative scenarios involving foul play. According to the WSP, 49-year-old Denell Kelly . According to investigators, her boyfriend broke up with her that day. 2:18 AM EDT, Mon May 3, 2021. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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"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). Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Marianne Williamson opens long shot 2024 challenge, Officials provide update on fatal fire, cause still, Fix it! 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. 2. "If what I believe happened, happened, we may never find the body. 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? "I would ask that our campus and Western New York community keep her family in your thoughts," she said in a statement. Saniyya Dennis, a Buffalo State College student, has been missing since she was captured on surveillance video leaving her residence hall on April 24. Saniyya Dennis was last seen on April 24. All of this information was provided to Dennis parents on Wednesday afternoon. M issing for over a week, family and friends continue to search for 19-year-old Buffalo State student Saniyya Dennis. Vandergrift is a radio host for Wild 94.9, where Yi is a host as well. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Flynn said he provided details of the investigation to Dennis parents Wednesday. Story tips can be sent to
[email protected] and on Twitter: @danimwallace. MASON COUNTY, Wash. - The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is asking the public for help in finding a missing Indigenous woman considered to be at-risk. ", Saniyya worked two jobs. Officials. The 19-year-old Buff State sophomore was last seen leaving an elevator in her dorm building the night of April 24. On Friday at 7 p.m., Mishealia Marie Meredith, 19, of Harrisburg, left a home where she. FBI JOINS SEARCH FOR MISSING VIRGINIA BOY, 2, LURED FROM CHURCH BY UNKNOWN ABDUCTOR, "Our one and only goal in this investigation is to locate Saniyya and reconnect her with her family. BUFFALO, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- There's a tragic update on a missing college student from the Bronx. Authorities are continuing their search for a missing New York college student who disappeared more than a week ago. Flynn said she got into an argument with her boyfriend, which ended with him breaking up with her.. Multiple law enforcement agencies and numerous volunteers were involved in a search for Dennis following her disappearance. 2023 Cable News Network. Prosecutors say Dennis' boyfriend was in New York City at the time and is not a suspect. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Dennis, of Bronx, New York, is a college sophomore. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. New pill cuts cholesterol, heart, In Chicago, adapting electric buses to winters challenges, Global race to boost electric vehicle range in cold, Ohio derailment tests Sen. 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Dennis called her boyfriend, who was in New York City at the time, 59 times in the next several hours, but he didnt pick up. Erie County District Attorney John Flynn held a news briefing Thursday during which he outlined a timeline of events and evidence that he said led to the conclusion that Dennis took her own life.. Her boyfriend was in New York City the entire time, and is not considered a suspect in her disappearance. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. The male friend called Dennis, who picked up and said she was going to jump off a bridge, according to the DA. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. "It appears that this poor [] 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 attorneys assertion that the Bronx teen died by suicide. There exists no evidence that it came from Saniyya A person named Keith K posted it via social media days later. Dennis had not been in contact with her family, according to Carey. (Buffalo State College). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. While the Erie County District Attorneys Office does not typically become involved in missing person cases unless there is evidence of criminality, we assisted in this multi-agency effort to find Saniyya at the request of SUNY Buffalo State College University Police. If you or someone you know might be at risk of suicide, there is help. May 7, 2021 / 11:13 AM She has dark brown hair and brown eyes. Around Midnight, Dennis texted her mother, telling her she loves her and that shell call her the next day. Flynn said Dennis was troubled by the breakup and later contacted another male friend in New York City, also telling him she had planned to commit suicide. Anyone with information is asked to contact Buffalo State Police at (716) 878-6333. This story has been shared 106,229 times. This story has been shared 167,794 times. Anyone with information about the search for Vandergrift is asked to call SFPD Tip Line at 415-575 . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. It appears that this poor girl took her own life,Erie County District Attorney John Flynnsaidat a news conferenceThursday morning. "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.". That video has not been made public. Authorities are continuing their search for a missing New York college student who disappeared more than a week ago.