A grandmother suspected of fatally poisoning her four grandchildren and her daughter before taking her own life received minimal tribute from her family, while her daughter was praised as a devoted mother.
Deaths and Investigation
Amy Steadman, 64, her daughter Sarah Myers, 44, and four grandchildren—Harper Harmon, 13, Hudson Harmon, 11, and 10-year-olds Gavin Harmon and Gracelynn Harmon—were found dead at Steadman's home in Mechanicville, New York, on June 23, 2026. Police responded to a welfare check and discovered a handwritten note that "strongly suggests" Steadman poisoned the five family members. One child also died from "fatal sharp-force injuries."
Mechanicville Police Chief William Rabbitt stated: "There is recovered evidence inside the apartment that indicates intentional poisoning with numerous prescriptions and over-the-counter medication."
Obituaries Contrast
Myers' obituary, published by New Comer Cremations and Funerals in Albany, described her as "a devoted mother who loved her children" and someone who "cared for them with the utmost devotion and love." In contrast, Steadman's obituary read simply: "Amy J Steadman, 64, passed away on Tuesday, June 23 2026. Per the request of the family, services were held privately."
Custody Battle and Background
Myers was involved in a custody dispute with the children's father, Brady Harmon, who lives in Utah and had not seen the children in person since 2019. A custody hearing was scheduled for June 29 amid claims Myers had not adhered to the parenting plan. Weeks before her death, Myers shared a GoFundMe page created by a friend to raise money for travel to Utah for the custody battle. She also claimed on social media to have been a victim of domestic abuse, which Harmon denies.
Harmon and Myers married in 2015 and separated four years later. Harmon's lawyer sent Myers custody hearing paperwork on June 10, the same day he received a text from Myers saying the children were sick. Harmon told The US Sun he feared the custody dispute pushed the family over the edge and made multiple calls to police after losing contact. The children missed a scheduled video call on June 13, prompting Harmon to raise the alarm.
Neighbor's Discovery
Neighbor Stephanie Sweeney called police after not hearing from the family for days. She said she could "smell death" from Steadman's apartment and saw flies gathering around the windows.
Harmon suspects Myers may have been involved in the deaths. "I have been fighting for so long to be able to have access to them, fighting so long to be part of their lives and show them there’s something different," he told Spectrum News 1. "Almost to that finish line, have my legs cut out from me and gutted because someone decided to take my kids away from me."
However, Myers' ex-husband John Bauman defended her, saying, "To me, I would say she did have nothing even close to having anything to do with their deaths, you know, at all. Because they were her world."
Chief Rabbitt said: "The Mechanicville Police Department, in partnership with the New York State Police, remains committed to conducting a thorough and complete investigation while providing as much information as possible without compromising the integrity of that investigation." He added: "Our thoughts remain with the family members, friends, neighbours, first responders and everyone affected by this tragedy."
