Neighbor’s Welfare Check Leads to Discovery of Six Family Members Dead in Upstate New York Home

A concerned neighbor who noticed an unusual odor coming from a nearby apartment has described the heartbreaking moments that led to the discovery of six members of the same family dead inside their home in Upstate New York.

Authorities confirmed that 44-year-old Sarah Myers, her four children, and her 64-year-old mother, Amy Steadman, were found deceased Tuesday evening inside Steadman’s apartment in Mechanicville, a small city located north of Albany. The tragic discovery followed a welfare check requested by a close family friend who had become increasingly worried after losing contact with them for nearly two weeks.

Stephanie Sweeney, who had maintained regular contact with the family, said she first became concerned when her usual conversations with them suddenly stopped. At first, she assumed there was a harmless explanation and believed the family might simply be away from home.

As more time passed without hearing from them, however, her concern grew.

According to Sweeney, the situation became alarming when she noticed a strong odor coming from the apartment.

Speaking to local television station WTEN, she recalled recognizing what she believed was the unmistakable smell associated with death.

Her fears intensified after she observed numerous flies gathering around the apartment’s windows and air conditioning unit, something she considered highly unusual.

Realizing that something might be seriously wrong, she contacted police and requested that officers conduct a welfare check at approximately 6:20 p.m. on Tuesday.

“I knew immediately that something wasn’t right,” Sweeney explained.

She admitted that, before making the call, she briefly wondered whether the family had simply chosen not to communicate with her for some reason.

“I kept thinking maybe I had done something wrong and they just weren’t talking to me,” she said.

Instead, officers responding to the welfare check made a devastating discovery inside the apartment.

The deaths have left neighbors and friends struggling to process the loss of a family many described as kind, caring, and deeply involved in their community.

Fighting back tears, Sweeney remembered Amy Steadman as one of her closest friends.

She explained that the family’s children affectionately called her “Nana,” making the tragedy especially painful on a personal level.

Sweeney also shared memories of each of the children, describing them with obvious affection.

She remembered the oldest child, 13-year-old Harper, as exceptionally bright and mature for her age.

Eleven-year-old Hudson, she recalled, loved making people laugh and constantly tried to bring smiles to those around him.

The 10-year-old twins, Gavin and Gracelynn, each had their own unique personalities.

According to Sweeney, Gavin enjoyed following her wherever she went, while Gracelynn never failed to greet her with a warm hug whenever they met.

As rumors surrounding the case began circulating online, Sweeney urged members of the public not to speculate before investigators determine exactly what happened.

She asked people to avoid spreading unverified claims or making assumptions about the family.

“If you don’t know the facts, please don’t make things up,” she said.

“They were wonderful people, and they deserve respect.”

Another resident of the apartment building, Nicholas Gilbault, also reflected on the impact the children had on the neighborhood.

He explained that the building’s thin walls often carried the sounds of the children laughing, playing, and simply enjoying everyday life.

“You would always hear them playing,” he said.

“They were just being kids.”

Gilbault added that remembering those familiar sounds now makes the tragedy even more difficult to comprehend.

Police later confirmed the identities of the six victims.

In addition to Sarah Myers and Amy Steadman, officers identified the children as 13-year-old Harper, 11-year-old Hudson, and 10-year-old twins Gavin and Gracelynn.

Investigators have since classified the case as a criminal investigation while they continue working to establish exactly how the deaths occurred.

According to authorities, evidence collected inside the apartment has led detectives to examine the possibility of a mass poisoning involving Amy Steadman.

Investigators reported recovering a handwritten note from inside the residence, along with both prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs.

Police have not publicly disclosed the contents of the note, and officials emphasized that determining its significance will require additional forensic analysis.

Mechanicville Police Chief William Rabbitt addressed reporters during a news conference on Thursday, explaining that investigators are still waiting for toxicology reports before reaching any final conclusions.

He stressed that many important questions remain unanswered and cautioned against drawing premature conclusions while the investigation continues.

Authorities also revealed that one of the children suffered fatal injuries caused by a sharp object.

The remaining deaths, according to preliminary findings, appear to be generally consistent with poisoning, although investigators emphasized that official medical examiner findings will ultimately determine each cause of death.

Police have reassured the public that there is currently no indication of an ongoing threat to the community.

Investigators believe the circumstances are isolated, and no evidence has emerged suggesting any wider danger to local residents.

While the criminal investigation continues, attention has also turned toward the family’s personal circumstances in the months leading up to the tragedy.

Friends and relatives described Sarah Myers as facing increasing stress related to a lengthy and highly contentious custody dispute involving her former husband, Brady Harmon.

Public posts previously shared by Myers on social media reflected ongoing frustration surrounding the legal conflict, and she also made allegations of domestic abuse during that period.

However, publicly available records reviewed by media outlets reportedly contain no arrest records involving Harmon connected to those allegations.

Court documents show that Harmon filed for divorce in 2020.

The divorce proceedings concluded in April 2026, with the final judgment granting both parents joint legal custody of their children.

The court awarded Myers primary physical custody, while Harmon was ordered to pay $500 each week in child support.

The agreement also provided Harmon with scheduled parenting time during the summer months, from July 1 through September 1 each year.

According to court filings, Harmon later sought enforcement of that parenting arrangement after stating publicly that he had not seen his children since 2019.

Legal records indicate that Myers had been scheduled to appear in court on June 29, 2026, to address a potential contempt proceeding connected to the custody order.

That hearing was set to take place only days before authorities discovered the family inside the apartment.

Investigators have not indicated whether the ongoing custody dispute played any role in the deaths, and officials continue to emphasize that no conclusions should be drawn until the investigation is complete.

For now, family members, friends, and neighbors remain focused on mourning six lives lost in circumstances that continue to leave an entire community searching for answers.

As forensic testing, toxicology examinations, and additional investigative work move forward, authorities say they remain committed to establishing a complete understanding of what occurred inside the Mechanicville apartment and providing clear answers to the victims’ loved ones.