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Published 14:26 26 Jun 2026 GMT
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.
