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Disturbing new details have emerged in the deaths of four children in upstate New York, with investigators revealing that one of the victims appeared to realize she and her siblings were being poisoned shortly before they were all killed.
Ten-year-old Gracelynn "Gracie" Harmon, her twin brother Gavin, 10, Hudson, 11, and Harper, 13, were found dead inside the Mechanicville apartment of their grandmother, Amy Steadman, in June.
Their mother, 44-year-old Sarah Myers, and 64-year-old Steadman were also found dead. Police believe the two women killed the children before taking their own lives.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Mechanicville Police Chief William Rabbitt said Gavin died from "multiple sharp force injuries," while his three siblings showed signs they had been poisoned.
Investigators say messages recovered during the investigation indicate Gracie became aware something was wrong.
According to Chief Rabbitt, the 10-year-old confronted her mother and grandmother, writing: "Why would you do that? You both won't let me puke," as she complained about worsening stomach pain.
Police said that later the same evening, Steadman messaged her daughter, saying: "Gracie is aware," before the pair allegedly continued discussing their plan.
Authorities recovered electronic evidence, including text messages between Myers and Steadman, which investigators say outlined how they intended to obtain medication and kill the children in order to "protect them."
Chief Rabbitt said investigators believe the motive was to prevent the children's father, Brady Harmon, from gaining custody of them.
Myers had accused Brady of domestic violence, allegations he has denied. He has not been charged with any offence.
According to investigators, Myers had hoped the children would be dead before a scheduled 6PM phone call with Brady on June 10. However, after a combination of prescription and over-the-counter medication allegedly failed to kill them, police say she texted her mother: "We need another option."
Detectives also examined Myers' internet search history, which Chief Rabbitt said included "searches about medication reactions, the effects of insulin on non-diabetics and the Utah court system."
He added that investigators also found searches including: "Where is the most fatal place to be stabbed."
Police further revealed that Gavin suffered a defensive wound during the attack, which Rabbitt said indicated "that he attempted to protect himself during the attack."
The final text exchange between Myers and Steadman reportedly took place at around 8:40 PM on June 10. About an hour later, surveillance footage captured Steadman visiting a nearby gas station before returning to the apartment.
The bodies were not discovered until nearly two weeks later after a neighbor requested a third welfare check, having not seen the family for 13 days.
Chief Rabbitt said officers did not enter the apartment during the first two welfare checks.
By the time the family was found, the bodies had decomposed to such an extent that identifying the victims proved difficult.
The investigation remains ongoing, with toxicology testing still pending. Authorities have indicated the results may never be released publicly because they fear disclosing specific details could encourage copycat crimes.
Chief Rabbitt strongly rejected the suspects' apparent justification for the killings.
"Amy Steadman and Sarah Myers consistently portrayed these murders as a way of protecting the children," he said.
"Whatever they believed justified their actions, the deliberate murder of four children cannot be described as protection."
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Brady Harmon revealed he had previously received multiple letters from Saratoga County Child Protective Services informing him that concerns had been raised about the children's living conditions.
He told the Albany Times Union that the final letter stated Myers was being investigated for Munchausen by proxy, a form of child abuse in which a caregiver fabricates or deliberately causes illness in a child.
According to Brady, a therapist concluded Myers had been negligent but determined the children were not in immediate danger.
"Nothing happened after that," he said.
He also described the condition of Myers' apartment when he later collected his children's belongings, claiming it was filled with cat urine and feces.
The cat has since been rescued by the Mechanicville Housing Authority and rehomed.
Brady said he does not know who originally contacted Child Protective Services but believes someone connected to the Mechanicville City School District may have raised concerns before Myers withdrew the children from school in 2024 to homeschool them.
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Police say a grandmother is believed to have poisoned her daughter and four grandchildren before taking her own life.
Authorities in Mechanicville, an upstate New York city around 18 miles north of Albany, announced on Thursday (June 25) that evidence recovered from the home points to 64-year-old Amy Steadman being involved in the deaths of her daughter, Sarah Myers, 44, and Myers' four children.
The victims have been identified as Harper Harmon, 13, Hudson Harmon, 11, and 10-year-old twins Gavin Harmon and Gracelynn Harmon, per ABC News.
The family's bodies were found on Tuesday after neighbors requested a welfare check, telling police they had not seen them for several days.
Speaking at a press conference, Mechanicville Police Department Chief William Rabbitt said investigators have uncovered evidence suggesting the deaths were the result of intentional poisoning.
"We will say that there is recovered evidence inside the apartment to indicate intentional poisoning to include numerous prescription and over-the-counter medications," Rabbitt said.
He added that investigators have found no evidence suggesting anyone from outside the family was involved.
"Evidence recovered during the investigation, including a handwritten note and other circumstantial evidence, strongly suggests that Amy Steadman was involved in the deaths," Rabbitt said.
While toxicology testing remains ongoing and police have not released a motive, investigators also revealed that one of the children "suffered fatal sharp force injuries".
Authorities declined to comment further as the investigation continues.
Steadman lived in the same apartment complex as Myers and her children, although in a separate unit.
Rabbitt said he could not determine exactly how long the family had been dead before officers responded to the welfare check, describing it only as an "extended period of time".
He also noted that the children were not enrolled in public schools.
The children's father, Brady Harmon, who lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, told WNYT he had not seen his children in person since November 2019 despite spending years fighting for custody and visitation.
Harmon claims that he was only days away from finally seeing his children again.
"I wish there was something else I could have done legally," he told the station.
"But I went through everything I could. Everything that my lawyers could do, everything. I just never thought that someone would go and do this."
"You talk about the feeling of, how do you prepare for this? You get down to almost the finish line - just absolutely cut your legs out from underneath you and the only thing left to do is crawl across the finish line to bring the remains home," he added.
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy.
A grandmother's chilling note was discovered after she allegedly poisoned her daughter and four grandchildren before taking her own life.
The bodies of 64-year-old Amy Steadman, her daughter Sarah Myers, 44, and Myers' four children were found inside an apartment in Mechanicville on Tuesday after a concerned neighbor requested a welfare check.
Mechanicville Police Chief William Rabbitt said officers were called after neighbors reported not seeing Steadman for some time.
"When officers were unable to make contact with Ms. Steadman, building management was contacted and access to the apartment was obtained. Upon entering the residence, officers located six deceased individuals," Rabbitt said, per The Mirror.
Authorities later identified the victims as Myers and her children, Harper Harmon, 13, Hudson Harmon, 11, and 10-year-old twins Gavin and Gracelynn Harmon.
Police believe the family had been dead for an "extended period of time," with investigators initially struggling to identify the victims because of the condition of their remains.
Neighbor Stephanie Sweeney said she became worried after not hearing from the family for nearly two weeks. She said that she noticed a foul odor coming from the apartment.
"I noticed the smell of death," Sweeney said, recalling that flies had gathered around the windows and air conditioner.
She contacted police for a welfare check at around 6:20PM on Tuesday.
"I knew immediately, so I just called, I had to," she said.
Although the investigation remains ongoing, Rabbitt said evidence collected at the scene points to Steadman being responsible for the deaths.
Investigators recovered evidence "to indicate intentional poisoning," including "numerous prescription and over-the-counter medications."
Police also revealed that one of the children "suffered fatal sharp force injuries," though authorities have not disclosed which child.
Officials said they have found nothing to suggest anyone from outside the family was involved and believe everything happened inside the apartment.
The contents of the handwritten note have not been released.
Law enforcement said the causes and manners of death for all six victims remain pending while investigators await toxicology reports, final autopsy findings, and the medical examiner's conclusions.
"We understand the public's desire to identify someone to hold responsible. However, it is important that this investigation be completed thoroughly and professionally before final conclusions are reached," Rabbitt said. "There remains no threat to the public."
The police chief also confirmed the children were homeschooled rather than enrolled in public school.
"Mechanicville is a close-knit city. Many residents knew the family involved, have children and grandchildren of their own, or simply cannot comprehend the loss of six lives under such heartbreaking circumstances," he added.
As investigators continue working to determine what happened, social media posts offer a glimpse into the family's life before the tragedy.
Myers regularly posted photos celebrating her children and once referred to herself as "mama bear" alongside a cartoon image featuring each of them.
Steadman also frequently posted about her grandchildren, writing in one post: "Any day with a grandchild in my arms, on my lap, in my home, or on my mind is an amazing day!"
The family had also been dealing with a lengthy custody dispute between Myers and her ex-husband, Brady Harmon.
According to court records, Harmon filed for divorce in March 2020, with the case concluding two months ago. Myers was awarded sole physical custody, while the former couple shared joint legal custody.
Harmon was ordered to pay $500 per week in child support and was granted scheduled visitation during the summer months.
Less than two months later, he filed an emergency motion seeking to enforce the custody order, while records show Myers had been ordered to appear in court on June 29, 2026, in potential contempt proceedings.
Public records reviewed did not show any criminal history for Harmon.
Harmon revealed that he had not seen his children since 2019 but had recently reached an agreement that would have allowed them to spend the summer together.
"I went from I’m seeing my kids to I’ll never see my kids again," he said. "Hope to hell. Things happen, but nothing like this."
He said police have not told him how his children died and added that he does not know who could be responsible.
The custody agreement would have allowed the children to stay with him in Utah from July 1 until September 1.
Now, the distraught father says he plans to bury them there. "I want them as far away as possible from their mother," he said.
A woman found dead alongside her four children and her mother in what police suspect was a poisoning had shared heartfelt social media posts in the days before the tragedy, while also dealing with a contentious custody dispute with her ex-partner.
Authorities discovered the bodies of 44-year-old Sarah Myers, her four children, 13-year-old Harper, 11-year-old Hudson, and 10-year-old twins Gavin and Gracelynn, as well as their grandmother, 64-year-old Amy Steadman, inside an apartment in upstate New York on Tuesday evening.
Officers were called to the property around 6:20PM after a neighbor requested a welfare check, reporting they had been unable to contact the family.
Inside, police found all six deceased.
Speaking at a press conference, Mechanicville police said they believe Steadman was “involved in a mass poisoning,” and confirmed that a note was recovered from the scene.
Investigators also said there were signs of “intentional poisoning” involving a mix of prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
Officials emphasized that everything appears to have happened inside the apartment and that they are not currently looking for any additional suspects.
However, authorities also revealed a disturbing detail: one of the children suffered “fatal sharp-forced injuries,” though they have not identified which child.
As investigators continue their work, social media posts offer a glimpse into the family’s life before the incident. Myers frequently shared photos and messages celebrating her children.
In one post, she referred to herself as “mama bear,” alongside a cartoon-style image featuring each of her children labeled by name.
Photos shared online show the family smiling together during holidays and everyday moments. Steadman also posted about her grandchildren, including one message that read: “Any day with a grandchild in my arms, on my lap, in my home, or on my mind is an amazing day!”
Those posts now stand in stark contrast to the scene police encountered.
Friends and relatives say the family had been under growing strain in recent months, largely due to a high-conflict custody battle between Myers and her ex-husband, Brady Harmon. Myers had publicly expressed frustration about the legal dispute on social media and claimed she had experienced domestic abuse.
Public records reviewed did not show any criminal history for Harmon, who has not responded to requests for comment.
Court documents show Harmon filed for divorce in March 2020, with the case concluding two months ago.
The final order granted joint legal custody of the children, while Myers was awarded sole physical custody. Harmon was ordered to pay $500 per week in child support and was given scheduled visitation during the summer months.
Less than two months later, Harmon filed an emergency motion to enforce the custody order.
Records indicate Myers was ordered to appear in court on June 29, 2026, over potential contempt proceedings, just days after the bodies were discovered.
Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive, released details of the note, or confirmed a timeline of the deaths. The investigation remains ongoing as autopsy and toxicology results are pending.
Myers' ex-husband, and the children's father, Harmon told the Times Union that he learned of the deaths while at home in Utah and had recently been preparing to reunite with his children after years apart.
He said he had not seen them since 2019 but had reached an agreement with Myers that would have allowed them to spend the summer together.
“I went from I’m seeing my kids to I’ll never see my kids again,” Harmon said. “Hope to hell. Things happen, but nothing like this.”
He added that police have not yet told him how his children died and said he does not know who could be responsible.
Police have not ruled out the involvement of Sarah Myers, a mom-of-four, in a murder-suicide case that left her, the children, and their grandmother dead in New York.
Investigators believe that there is a possibility that Myers, 44, was involved in the deaths of her children Harper, 13, Hudson, 11, and Gavin and Gracelynn, both 10, as well as her mother Amy Steadman, 64.
The bodies were found inside Steadman's apartment in Mechanicville, New York, on June 23.
One of the kids was found to have died as the result of a fatal "sharp injury," while other kids showed signs of being poisoned.
Earlier in the investigation, Police Chief William Rabbitt said that evidence "strongly suggests" that the children's grandmother was responsible for the horrific murders, with a handwritten note and bottles of prescription and medicines found in the home.
However, this week, Rabbitt told NBC 5: "We have not ruled out that Sarah Myers was also complicit in the deaths of her children."
Following the police chief's claim, he didn't elaborate, instead highlighting that the case is still active and that there is "still a great deal to be said."
Investigators are yet to explain what happened in Steadman's apartment last month, as Rabitt further noted: "We are still awaiting final toxicology results and the completion of other forensic testing."
This update comes after a shocking revelation from the children's father, Brady Harmon, as he revealed that he received 10 letters from Saratoga County Child Protective Services.
They detailed that it was investigating the living conditions at his children's home, with the last letter stating that Myers was being investigated for Munchausen syndrome by proxy, as per the Albany Times-Union.
Munchausen syndrome, also known as factitious disorder imposed on self, is a mental health condition where an individual compulsively fakes, exaggerates, or intentionally causes illnesses and injuries in themselves, while Munchausen by proxy is when they inflict the same on their dependents.
Harmon said that a therapist found that Myers was negligent in caring for her kids, but they weren't in danger.
He even claimed that "nothing happened" after this, though he noticed that her apartment was a mess when he went to collect the children's belongings earlier this month, finding cat urine and feces.
The cat has been rescued since, and has also found a new home.
Harmon also admitted that he doesn't know who got in touch with Child Protective Services, believing that it may have been the officials at Mechanicville City School District.
This is because letters stopped coming in after Myers pulled the children out of the education system in 2024 to be homeschooled.
Despite being separated from his kids since 2019, he kept in touch with them, reaching an agreement to have custody from July 1 to September 1.
He spoke with the kids on June 7, excited about their trip to Utah, but three days later, Myers texted him and said that they had fallen sick.
Harmon told the US Sun: "She messaged me, 'Hey, the kids are sick, we'll talk to you on the 11th.'"
The dad then called police to ask for welfare checks, as his lawyer sent Myers paperwork over an upcoming custody hearing on the 29th.
Steadman's neighbor, Stephanie Sweeney, also called authorities after she noticed several flies and a smell coming from the apartment.
This lead to the police making the horrific discovery of the bodies.
"I went from 'I'm seeing my kids' to 'I'll never see my kids again,'" the dad-of-four stated.
It's believed that Steadman resented Harmon for securing custody over the summer, as he suggested that his insistence on involving a lawyer may have sent the mom and grandmother "over the edge."
He suggested that they may have thought: "We don't know a way out of this, so let's do the next best thing. He'll never have access to these kids…"
This has not been confirmed.
Steadman's Facebook profile reveals that she shared a GoFundMe for her daughter to get a domestic violence lawyer back in 2022, though the fundraiser has since been deleted.
At the time, the grandma posted snaps of her daughter and children, captioning it: "Please help my daughter and grandchildren."
Harmon has denied the claims, calling Myers the "culprit," adding that she had once stabbed him in the face with a medicine dropper during a fight in 2019.
Now, the father has the children's cremated remains and flew them home for a funeral earlier this month, adding: "We could not bring their bodies home due to the horrific state they were in."
He spread their ashes at the same place his father's ashes were scattered, on top of a mountain, in a "devastating" turn of events for the dad.
"The only thing I can keep as a peace of mind is that my kids are safe in the arms of my father and other family members who loved them and not those who would hurt them," he admitted.
Harmon went on: "There is some relief, but there is a hole that could never be filled,
"I know at least I will eventually see them again."
A Colorado mother has been charged with second-degree murder months after her 16-year-old daughter was found dead inside their home with 173 empty alcohol bottles in her bedroom, according to prosecutors.
Gretchen Leanne Ryan, 55, was arrested after investigators alleged she repeatedly supplied alcohol and marijuana to her daughter, Grace Elizabeth Ryan, despite the teenager suffering severe health problems linked to alcohol abuse.
Grace was found unresponsive at the family's home in Arvada on the morning of March 9 and was pronounced dead at the scene. Prosecutors said digital evidence and text messages gathered during the investigation painted a troubling picture of the months leading up to her death.
According to the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office, messages between Grace and her mother showed the teenager had been vomiting blood, struggling to eat, having difficulty walking, and wearing diapers because of her condition.
Investigators also alleged Grace repeatedly expressed fears she was going to die and asked for help.
Days before her death, she texted her mother (obtained by The Denver Post): "If you’re going to do this to me you need to take me to a hospital."
Court documents also allege Ryan replied by encouraging her daughter to smoke marijuana instead of drinking.
In another exchange from January, Ryan wrote: "I’m committing child abuse and murder."
She continued: "And I will go to prison. So we have to do something it is really bad. Do you understand? Vomiting blood is a really bad sign. Look it up. I probably should tell (redacted) and take you to the hospital. Are you reading these? Hello!!!’... Respond!!!!!!!!!! Do you want to die? If (redacted) saw you he’d freak out. Quit ignoring me."
On the night before she died, Grace reportedly texted her mother saying she felt sick. Authorities said her final outgoing message was sent from her iPad at 10:07PM.
Authorities said the iPad was discovered beside Grace's body in the bathroom the following morning. Prosecutors said 911 was not called until around 8:15AM.
When officers arrived, Ryan was allegedly slurring her words and told detectives, "I feel like I killed her," according to the arrest warrant.
Investigators also reported finding 173 empty alcohol bottles under Grace's bed and inside her closet. Court documents state Ryan later told police that she and her daughter each drank about a bottle of vodka every day and that Grace vomited from drinking at least once a week.
The affidavit also said Grace had texted a friend a week before her death that she was an alcoholic and wanted to get sober.
An autopsy concluded that Grace died from aspiration pneumonia related to chronic alcohol use. The report also found she had an abnormally fatty liver, which investigators believed resulted from prolonged alcohol consumption.
Prosecutors said Grace had been withdrawn from public high school in April 2025 to attend online classes, but completed only one semester and did not take part in activities outside the home.
Ryan is being held in the Jefferson County Jail on a $500,000 cash only bond. Her next court appearance is scheduled for July 16. She has not yet entered a plea, and it is unclear whether she has retained an attorney.
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