Mechanicville, New York — Authorities are investigating the deaths of six family members after they were found inside a New York home, where police say evidence suggests a grandmother fatally attacked her daughter and four grandchildren before taking her own life.
Investigators believe the deaths occurred days before the children were expected to spend the summer with their father under an existing custody agreement.
Officials emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing, but said evidence collected inside the residence strongly points toward the grandmother’s involvement.
Welfare Check Leads to Grim Discovery
Police were called to the home after a concerned neighbor reported not seeing the family for several days.
When officers entered the residence, they discovered six bodies in an advanced state of decomposition, indicating the family had been dead for an extended period.
Authorities later identified the deceased as 64-year-old Amy Steadman, her daughter Sarah Myers, and Myers’ four children:
- Harper Harmon, 13
- Hudson Harmon, 11
- Gavin Harmon, 10
- Gracelynn Harmon, 10
Because of the condition of the bodies, investigators were initially unable to identify the victims at the scene.
Police Say Evidence Suggests Intentional Killings
During a Thursday news conference, Mechanicville Police Chief Bill Rabbitt said investigators recovered evidence indicating that several victims were intentionally poisoned.
According to police, prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs are believed to have been used in the deaths of most of the victims.
Authorities also said one of the children suffered fatal stab wounds.
Investigators recovered what they described as a handwritten note along with other evidence inside the home.
“There is recovered evidence from inside the apartment indicating intentional poisoning,” Rabbitt said.
He added:
“A handwritten note and other circumstantial evidence strongly suggests that Amy Steadman was involved in the deaths.”
Officials have not publicly disclosed the contents of the note.
Custody Arrangement Part of Investigation Timeline
According to court records cited by local media, Myers and the children’s father divorced in 2020 and initially shared joint custody.
The agreement reportedly allowed the children to live with their mother during the school year while spending the summer months with their father.
Local media reports indicate investigators are examining whether resentment surrounding the custody arrangement may have played a role in the case.
However, police have not publicly confirmed a motive, and the investigation remains active.
Father Speaks Out After Learning of Children’s Deaths
The children’s father, Brady Harmon, said he was preparing to reunite with his children before receiving the devastating news.
“I went from, ‘I’m seeing my kids,’ to ‘I’ll never see my kids again,’” Harmon said.
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He told that he hopes to bury his children in Utah, where he currently lives.
“I want them as far away as possible from their mother,” he said.
Harmon also alleged that communication with his children had been limited in recent months, saying he had only been allowed occasional FaceTime calls.
Investigation Continues
Authorities continue processing evidence from the home while medical examiners work to determine the official causes and manners of death for each victim.
Investigators have not announced when the deaths occurred, though officials believe the family had been deceased for several days before they were discovered.
Police say additional information will be released as the investigation progresses.
The tragedy has left the Mechanicville community mourning the loss of a mother and four young children whose lives ended in circumstances investigators continue to piece together.
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