A father is mourning the deaths of his four young children after authorities said they were killed in an alleged murder-suicide poisoning in Mechanicville, New York.
Brady Harmon, the children’s father, told News Agency that the news was impossible to comprehend. “There is no preparation,” he said. “It’s horrendous.”
Police said during a Thursday news conference that the children’s grandmother is suspected of poisoning the four children and their mother before taking her own life.
The six victims were found dead inside an apartment in Mechanicville last week, according to police. Investigators have identified the children’s grandmother as the suspect in the murder-suicide plot. (Brady Harmon)
Mechanicville Police Chief William Rabbitt said investigators recovered evidence from inside the apartment that pointed to “intentional poisoning with numerous prescriptions and over-the-counter medication.”
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Rabbitt also said autopsy findings indicated that one of the child victims may have suffered “fatal sharp force injuries.”
Amy Steadman, 64, is suspected of killing her grandchildren and her daughter in a murder-suicide plot where police said the victims were poisoned. (Facebook/Meta)
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Investigators made their grim discovery during a welfare check at the home on Tuesday, June 23.
MPD named those found dead:
- Amy Steadman, 64
- Sarah Myers, 44
- Harper Harmon, 13
- Hudson Harmon, 11
- Gavin Harmon, 10
- Gracelynn Harmon, 10
During the news conference, police named Steadman as the children’s grandmother. Rabbitt said investigators found a “handwritten note” that may link her to the deaths.
He also said causes of death are pending additional investigation and toxicology testing.
Before the young victims were found dead, Harmon, who lives in Utah, told News Agency he was planning on taking his children back to Utah with him for the summer. He never had the chance.
Four children, their mother and grandmother were all found dead in a suspected murder-suicide poisoning plot. (Brady Harmon)
He was fighting an ongoing custody battle with the children’s mother, Myers, he said. He also told News Agency he had concerns about the children’s safety and well-being before the tragedy.
His worst fears became realized.
“The system is broken, it takes way too long to get anything done. I spent six and a half years fighting to be able to have access to my kids,” he said.
While the murder investigation continues, Harmon said, “My concern right now is being able to bring my kids home, and have them away from those two monsters that did this to them.”
