Four children, their mother and grandmother were found dead after a welfare check at a Harris Avenue apartment.
MECHANICVILLE, N.Y. — Police said Thursday that evidence points to intentional poisoning after a grandmother, her daughter and four grandchildren were found dead this week inside a Harris Avenue apartment in Saratoga County.
Mechanicville Police Chief William Rabbitt said investigators found medications, a handwritten note and other evidence inside the apartment of Amy Steadman, 64. Police said Steadman is believed to have been involved in the deaths of her daughter, Sarah Myers, 44, and Myers’ four children: Harper Harmon, 13; Hudson Harmon, 11; and 10-year-old twins Gavin Harmon and Gracelynn Harmon.
Officers found the six bodies Tuesday evening after a neighbor requested a welfare check because Steadman had not been seen for several days. Police said all six were found inside Steadman’s apartment at the John S. Moore Homes complex, though Myers and the children lived in a separate unit in the same complex. Rabbitt said the bodies had been there for an extended period, making immediate identification difficult. “The investigation is in its infancy,” Rabbitt said, adding that final findings will take time.
Police said evidence recovered from the apartment indicated intentional poisoning, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Rabbitt said one child also had sharp-force injuries. Officials have not released the contents of the handwritten note, but Rabbitt said the note and other circumstantial evidence strongly suggest Steadman’s involvement. Investigators said they have found no evidence that anyone outside the apartment took part in the deaths. The official causes and manners of death remain pending while toxicology tests and medical examiner reviews continue.
The deaths came days before the children were expected to travel to Utah to spend time with their father, Brady Harmon, under a custody arrangement. Harmon said he had not seen the children in person since 2019 and was preparing for their arrival when police came to his home with the news. The custody issue has become part of the investigation’s background, but police have not announced a motive. Rabbitt declined to draw conclusions before lab tests, autopsy findings and document reviews are complete.
The case has shaken Mechanicville, a small city north of Albany where police, state investigators and medical officials continued working through the scene and records. Neighbors said they had grown worried after not seeing members of the family. Local officials said there was no known threat to the public. Rabbitt said investigators believe the deaths occurred inside the apartment and said detectives are reviewing evidence carefully before making final determinations about responsibility.
No charges can be filed against Steadman if investigators determine she died by suicide, but police said the case remains an active criminal investigation. The next major steps include toxicology results, final medical examiner reports and continued review of the note, medications and family court records. Authorities have not given a firm date for those findings. Rabbitt said the department wants to avoid speculation while investigators build a complete record of what happened.
The victims’ names were released Wednesday as police confirmed the family relationships. Harper, Hudson, Gavin and Gracelynn were Myers’ children. Myers was Steadman’s daughter. The children’s father has said he wants them buried in Utah. Police have not said when the bodies will be released to relatives or when funeral plans will be finalized.
The investigation stood open Thursday, June 25, as Mechanicville police awaited toxicology and medical examiner findings. Officials said more updates will follow when investigators can confirm the causes of death and the full sequence of events.
Author note: Last updated June 25, 2026.