A father has publicly shared text messages exchanged with his ex-wife, Sarah Myers, in the days leading up to the deaths of their four children, her mother, and Myers herself. The Mechanicville Police Department is investigating the incident as a murder-suicide plot orchestrated by Myers and her mother, Amy Steadman.
Brady Harmon, the children's father, revealed the communications on Facebook following an announcement by police on Tuesday. According to Mechanicville Police Chief Bill Rabbitt, Myers and Steadman exchanged messages concerning the administration of medications to the children in the days before the incident.
Harmon shared texts that he said depict what he was being told while planning for his children's summer visit. The messages span from May 31 to June 11. During this period, Harmon was sending flight information and planning activities for the children—Harper, 13, Hudson, 11, and 10-year-old twins Gavin and Gracelynn—who were set to visit him for the first time since 2019.
On June 10, the same day police believe the plan was being put into motion, Myers texted Harmon stating the children had a stomach bug and asked to reschedule a planned video call. Harmon responded that he would be painting and hoped the children would feel better.
Police uncovered messages between Myers and Steadman that detailed their plan to medicate the children. Chief Rabbitt stated that the medications were intended to be administered between 10:30 a.m. and noon to be completed before a scheduled 6 p.m. phone call with Harmon. However, the plan reportedly shifted when the children did not react as expected, leading to a message from one woman to the other stating, "It's not working. We need another option."
Investigators found evidence suggesting a mass poisoning, although it was later revealed that 10-year-old Gavin was also repeatedly stabbed. During the investigation, Steadman reportedly visited multiple pharmacies in the days prior to the incident. Recovered internet history showed searches related to medication reactions, the effects of insulin on non-diabetics, and the Utah court system. Later searches included queries about fatal stab wounds.
Authorities also discovered handwritten letters, including a signed confession from Steadman and unsigned notes attributed to Myers, which allege abuse during their time in Utah. Harmon stated his belief that the truth would have emerged if the children had been able to spend the summer with him in Utah.