Police in Mechanicville, New York, are investigating the deaths of six family members found in an apartment on June 23. The deceased include Amy Steadman, 64, her daughter Sarah Myers, 44, and four grandchildren: Harper, 13, Hudson, 11, and twins Gavin and Gracelynn, both 10.
Mechanicville Police Chief William Rabbitt stated that evidence collected at the scene, including a handwritten note and several bottles of medication, strongly suggests Steadman was responsible for the deaths. Autopsies revealed that one of the children died from fatal sharp-force injuries, while evidence points to poisoning as the cause for the others.
Sources cited by local media indicated that Steadman may have harbored resentment towards the children's father, Brady Harmon, who had recently gained custody of the grandchildren. Harmon stated he had not seen his children in years and had been fighting for increased access. He last communicated with his children via FaceTime on June 7, and received a text from Myers on June 10 stating the children were sick.
Harmon's lawyer had reportedly sent paperwork regarding an upcoming custody hearing scheduled for June 29. Harmon expressed his belief that this legal development may have precipitated the events.
"So, I don't know if that pushed them over the edge because like, 'Oh my gosh, he actually has a lawyer that's going to do his job. And we don't know way out of this, so let's do the next best thing. He'll never have access to these kids… and then do what they did," Harmon speculated in an interview.
He added that he had called police multiple times to request welfare checks after learning the children were ill. The discovery of the bodies occurred around 6:20 p.m. after police responded to a call for a welfare check, as the family had not been seen for several days. Steadman's obituary, released by New Comer Cremations and Funerals, states she "passed away on Tuesday, June 23, 2026." Services were held privately at the family's request.
Details emerged suggesting a history of domestic violence, with Steadman having shared a deleted GoFundMe in 2022 for her daughter to help secure a domestic violence lawyer. Harmon, however, denied his ex-wife was a victim, alleging she had stabbed him in the face in 2019 and accused her of keeping the children from him to maintain control. Harmon and Myers married in 2015 and separated four years later.
John Bauman, Steadman's ex-husband, told Spectrum News that he did not believe Steadman or Myers were involved in the deaths. Neighbors described Steadman and Myers as being inseparable, with one neighbor noting Steadman assisted Myers daily with the children.
"Those kids don't deserve this," the neighbor stated.
Chief Rabbitt acknowledged the tragedy's impact on the close-knit community, stating, "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."