Tragic Loss of Four Children and Their Mother in Upstate New York

The four children discovered deceased alongside their mother and grandmother in their New York residence seemed “happy” during their last conversation with their grieving father, according to a family member. Brady Harmon shared that their final Facetime call, lasting around 15 minutes on June 7, revealed cheerful exchanges.

“They seemed like happy kids,” Harmon recounted. On Tuesday, police in Mechanicville found the bodies of Harper Harmon, 13, Hudson Harmon, 11, and twin siblings, Gavin and Gracelyn Harmon, both 10. Investigators suspect that their grandmother poisoned them and their mother, Sarah Myers, who is 44 years old.

“Harper and Grace showed me their paintings, Hudson showed me his cats, and Gavin showcased things he had made,” Harmon mentioned, visibly shaken by the memories.

Though he hadn’t seen his children since 2019, Harmon, 46, was recently granted temporary custody, set to begin on July 1. “I was planning to fly out on the 30th, pick them up, and then spend two months together,” he said, residing in Salt Lake City, Utah.

As he prepared for their reunion, local police delivered devastating news at his door late Tuesday.

“They say time heals all wounds, but this is a gaping hole that will never heal… it will never go away,” he expressed, a mix of anguish and disbelief in his voice.

Harmon plans to bury the children in Utah, distancing them from their mother. “I don’t believe anyone who can’t protect them should be around them,” he commented regarding his ex-wife, emphasizing his parental duties.

Old family photos shared by Harmon show joyful times, with smiling children donning Halloween costumes, playing on swings, and cuddling with their father during naps.

Harmon disclosed that the children’s maternal grandmother, Amy Steadman—believed by police to be involved in the alleged poisoning—had lived with the family at one point during Harmon and Myers’ long relationship. “She was never the most cordial person to be around,” he reflected, hinting at a distant relationship with his former mother-in-law.

Despite that, Harmon recognized her bond with the kids. “She was a doting grandmother. She spoiled them,” he noted.

A handwritten note found at Steadman’s home “strongly suggests” her involvement in the tragic events, according to Mechanicville Police Chief Bill Rabbitt. Due to severe decomposition, the identification of her body was challenging for responders.

While one child showed signs of being stabbed, the others seemed to have been poisoned. Speculation arises that Steadman may have acted out of anger over Harmon’s recent custody proceedings, as indicated by a source.

Detectives discovered signs of intentional poisoning, with various medications found in the apartment. “Evidence recovered during the investigation, including handwritten notes and other circumstantial details, strongly implicates Amy Steadman,” Rabbitt stated.

A syringe was also recovered, which led investigators to consider the grim possibility that the children had been injected with substances. As the inquiry continues, authorities await further results from the crime lab before releasing more details to the public.