A grandmother and her daughter meticulously planned the deaths of four children inside an upstate New York apartment before taking their own lives, believing the horrific scheme would keep them safe from perceived abuse, police revealed.
Sarah Myers, 44, and her mother, Amy Steadman, 64, are accused of orchestrating the June murder-suicide that left Myers' children—Harper, 13, Hudson, 11, and 10-year-old twins Gavin and Gracelynn—dead. Investigators uncovered evidence pointing to a mass poisoning, though it was later revealed that 10-year-old Gavin was repeatedly stabbed to death with a knife.
During a press conference, officials presented new evidence indicating the mother-daughter duo deliberately planned the murders before their deaths, despite a handwritten confession signed solely by Steadman. Mechanicville Police Chief Bill Rabbitt detailed chilling text messages that allegedly showed the pair’s plot beginning on June 5, 2026, just five days before the killings.
The texts revealed discussions about "obtaining medications, where the murders would occur and how those medications would be administered," according to Rabbitt. They also detailed conversations about how the children would be gathered, what they would be told, and how suspicion could be avoided. One message on June 10 indicated Myers instructed Steadman on when to administer the medications to begin the process, so they would be finished before a scheduled call with the children's father.
Around the same time, one of the women sent the other a message stating, "It's not working. We need another option," after the children did not respond as anticipated. The investigation found that Steadman had visited multiple pharmacies in the days prior, obtaining over-the-counter sleep aids and prescribed medications. Surveillance footage and purchase records corroborated these actions.
Internet history recovered by authorities showed 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 detailing a specific artery and the neck. Gavin suffered a defensive wound indicating he attempted to protect himself during the attack.
The final text communication between Steadman and Myers was exchanged shortly after 8:30 p.m. on June 10. Approximately an hour later, Steadman was captured on surveillance footage heading to a gas station before returning to the apartment.
A neighbor's request for a welfare check on June 13, followed by another on June 17, led to the discovery of the six deceased family members on June 23—13 days after they were last seen. The bodies were too decomposed for immediate identification.
The discovery occurred days before the children were scheduled to travel to Utah to spend the summer with their father, Brady Harmon, with whom Myers was engaged in an ongoing custody battle.
Investigators found a handwritten confession signed by Steadman, which stated that "killing the children was the only way to keep them safe from alleged abuse in Utah." The confession also noted that "Sarah Myers had done everything she could and that no one would help her, and acknowledged that the events did not unfold as they planned."
Additional unsigned handwritten notes found in the apartment, believed to be by Myers, referred to the children as "my babies" and made allegations of abuse while living in Utah. The author expressed anger toward the Utah family court system and complained about an inability to obtain legal representation. Rabbitt stated that Steadman and Myers consistently portrayed the murders as a protective act, but emphasized that "the deliberate murder of four children cannot be described as protection."
Brady Harmon has denied all abuse allegations. He stated that he last saw his children in 2019, following his separation from Myers. Harmon accused his ex-wife of keeping their children from him to maintain control and alleged she stabbed him in the face with a medicine dropper in 2019. He had an agreement for custody from July 1 to September 1.
Harmon last spoke with his children on June 7. He received a text from Myers three days later stating the children were sick and they would talk on June 11. On the same day, Harmon's attorney sent Myers paperwork related to a custody hearing scheduled for June 29. Harmon speculated this might have prompted the actions, stating, "He'll never have access to these kids… and then do what they did."
Harmon had previously suspected Myers and Steadman were responsible. He noted that he was finally gaining custody for 60 days after years of fighting for access to his children. Harmon also claimed he received letters from Saratoga County Child Protective Services investigating conditions at the children's home, with the last letter stating Myers was being investigated for Munchausen syndrome by proxy. A therapist reportedly concluded Myers was negligent but determined the children were not in immediate danger.
Upon collecting his children's belongings, Harmon found the apartment in disarray with cat feces and urine. The cat was rescued and rehomed. Harmon believes school officials may have alerted Child Protective Services, as the letters stopped after Myers withdrew the children from the district in 2024 to homeschool them. He is working to obtain the children's school records.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are awaiting final toxicology results, which Rabbitt indicated may not be publicly released to prevent others from attempting similar actions.