A mother who jumped to her death with her children off Niagara Falls was suffering with postpartum depression, according to her family.

However, her cousin, Bierra Hamilton has claimed this was not the cause and that the mother was suffering from postpartum depression.

Hamilton said: “Understand this – postpartum [depression] is very real and needs a cure. Her death wasn’t over a man. My cousin was silently fighting depression alone.”

Hamilton also responded to rumors online and attempted to stop the spread of false information.

Sharing to Facebook, she wrote: “Diamond Scott [Chianti Means] did not end her life over no man. Let’s just be clear. It’s no evidence of that. YALL BE LOUD AND WRONG.”

The NHS describes postpartum depression as:

• • a persistent feeling of sadness and low mood
  • lack of enjoyment and loss of interest in the wider world

• • lack of energy and feeling tired all the time
  • trouble sleeping at night and feeling sleepy during the day

• • finding it difficult to look after yourself and your baby
  • withdrawing from contact with other people

• • problems concentrating and making decisions
  • frightening thoughts – for example, about hurting your baby

It can effect either men or women who are new to parenting.