Brady Harmon has released text messages he received from his ex-wife, Sarah Myers, in the days leading up to the murder-suicide that claimed the lives of their four children and her mother. Authorities in Mechanicville, New York, believe Myers and her mother, Amy Steadman, planned the killings and their own deaths.
Myers and Steadman are accused of orchestrating the deaths of Harper, 13, Hudson, 11, and 10-year-old twins Gavin and Gracelynn. Harmon, whose children primarily lived with Myers and who was in a custody battle with her, stated the children were scheduled to visit him for the summer, their first time with him since 2019.
According to Mechanicville Police Chief Bill Rabbitt, Myers and Steadman exchanged messages in the days before the killings discussing the administration of medication to the children. Harmon shared these messages on Facebook, noting that on June 10, the same day he was told the children had a stomach bug and asked to postpone a scheduled FaceTime call, Myers and Steadman were discussing their plan to medicate the children.
"According to information released by the Mechanicville Police Department, messages were being exchanged on June 10 concerning the planned murder of my children," Harmon wrote online. He added that Myers texted him that day stating the children had a stomach bug and requested to reschedule their online visit.
Authorities found messages between Myers and Steadman detailing their plan to administer medications between 10:30 a.m. and noon, to be completed before a 6 p.m. phone call with Harmon. However, Chief Rabbitt indicated the plan took an unexpected turn that morning when the children did not respond as anticipated. One woman reportedly messaged the other, "It's not working. We need another option."
Investigators uncovered evidence suggesting a mass poisoning, although it was later determined that 10-year-old Gavin was fatally stabbed. Steadman reportedly visited multiple pharmacies in the days prior, and internet searches recovered by authorities included "searches about medication reactions, the effects of insulin on non-diabetics and the Utah court system." Later searches included "Where is the most fatal place to be stabbed," which yielded results about specific arteries and the neck.
Harmon shared text exchanges dating from May 31 to June 11, highlighting his preparations for the children's summer visit. He had sent flight information, planned activities, and requested medical records, medications, and allergy information, believing he was preparing to welcome his children. He expressed his belief that the truth might have emerged if the children had been able to stay with him in Utah for the summer.
Authorities also uncovered letters, including a signed confession from Steadman and unsigned notes attributed to Myers, which alleged that she and her children had been abused while living in Utah. Harmon stated in his post, "My children were not pawns to be sacrificed when control was slipping away. They were four beautiful human beings with personalities, dreams, fears, laughter, and an entire family waiting to love them."