Grandmother Suspected in Mechanicville Deaths — Note and Poison Evidence Found
Brady Harmon had not seen his four children since November 2018.
A Utah court had just granted him two months of physical custody starting June 25. He was days away from seeing Harper, Hudson, Gavin and Gracelynn for the first time in nearly seven years.
On June 24, police told him they were dead.
What Investigators Found — and What They Now Suspect
Police in Mechanicville, New York, provided their first detailed public update Thursday after six people — a grandmother, her daughter and four grandchildren — were found dead in an apartment at the John S. Moore Housing Complex on Harris Avenue on June 23.
Chief William Rabbitt confirmed that autopsies were completed Wednesday, allowing the victims to be formally identified.
They are Amy Steadman, 64; her daughter Sarah Myers, 44; and Myers' four children — Harper Harmon, 13; Hudson Harmon, 11; and twins Gavin and Gracelynn Harmon, both 10.
Rabbitt said investigators found evidence of intentional poisoning inside the apartment — specifically, numerous prescription and over-the-counter medications recovered from the scene.
He also confirmed that one of the children suffered fatal sharp-force injuries, though whether those injuries were the cause of that child's death has not yet been determined.
"Evidence recovered during the investigation, including a handwritten note and other circumstantial evidence, strongly suggests that Amy Steadman was involved in the deaths," Rabbitt said at Thursday's press conference.
He confirmed there is no evidence that any outside individual was involved.
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The Custody Timeline — and When Brady Harmon Found Out
The broader circumstances surrounding the family have been confirmed through Utah district court filings reported by the Daily Gazette.
Brady Harmon had separated from Myers in November 2019. A divorce was not finalised until April 14, 2026. The court granted joint legal custody, with Myers having sole physical custody subject to Harmon's parenting time.
The court awarded Harmon two continuous months each summer, starting in summer 2026. That custody period was set to begin on June 25 — the day after police discovered the bodies of his children.
"They were going to be here from July 1 to September 1 and just come and be with Dad," Harmon told WTEN. "Just connect with family they have not seen, connect with additional family members they have never met."
Myers had cancelled a scheduled video call on June 10 because the children were said to be sick.
"Then two weeks later, two days after Father's Day, I find out my kids are gone," Harmon said.
Police notified Harmon on Tuesday evening. He had not seen the children in person since November 7, 2018.
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What Remains Unconfirmed
Rabbitt explicitly declined to disclose the contents or authorship of the handwritten note at this stage, stating the investigation must be complete before any final determination of accountability.
Toxicology results are pending. The official cause and manner of death for all six individuals have not been certified.
"Final determinations regarding accountability will be made only after all investigative findings, toxicology results and medical examiner reviews have been completed," Rabbitt said.
No criminal charges have been filed. Amy Steadman is deceased and was found in the same apartment as the other victims.
The children were homeschooled and were not enrolled in the Mechanicville City School District. Neighbours told local media they had not seen the family for several weeks before making the welfare check call. Rabbitt confirmed the bodies had been in the apartment for an extended period — long enough that initial identification at the scene was not possible due to the condition of the remains.
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What Comes Next
This investigation is active and ongoing across multiple fronts.
Toxicology results will determine what specific substances were present in the victims' systems and at what levels. The medical examiner's formal cause and manner of death determinations will follow.
Mechanicville police have said they will continue to update the public as investigative findings are certified. Saratoga County authorities and state police resources have been involved in the investigation.
The question of what happened inside that apartment, and when, remains unanswered. It may not be answered fully until toxicology is complete.
Key Takeaways
- Mechanicville Police confirmed Thursday that a handwritten note and evidence of intentional poisoning — including numerous prescription and over-the-counter medications — were found in the apartment where six people were discovered dead on June 23.
- The victims are Amy Steadman, 64; Sarah Myers, 44; Harper Harmon, 13; Hudson Harmon, 11; and twins Gavin and Gracelynn Harmon, 10.
- Chief William Rabbitt said evidence "strongly suggests that Amy Steadman was involved in the deaths." He confirmed no outside individual is suspected.
- One child suffered fatal sharp-force injuries. The official cause of death for all six is pending toxicology and medical examiner review.
- Father Brady Harmon, who lives in Utah, had just been granted summer custody starting June 25 — and was days from seeing his children for the first time since 2018.
- No criminal charges have been filed. Steadman is deceased.
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James Mitchell has covered US and UK politics for over a decade, with a focus on elections, foreign policy, and Capitol Hill. He breaks down complex political stories into clear, fast analysis.
