The investigation into the deaths of six members of the same family in upstate New York has taken a heartbreaking turn after police revealed they believe the children’s grandmother was involved in the tragedy.

Authorities say evidence recovered from inside the apartment where Amy Steadman, her daughter Sarah Myers and four young grandchildren were found dead strongly points toward an intentional act. Investigators now believe most of the victims were poisoned, while one child suffered fatal stab wounds.

The shocking development comes as the father of the four children spoke publicly about his grief, describing how he had been counting down the days until he would finally reunite with his children after years apart.

Mechanicville police responded to an apartment on Harris Avenue on June 23 after a concerned neighbor requested a welfare check. According to investigators, the neighbor had not seen 64-year-old Amy Steadman for several days and feared something was wrong.

Inside the apartment, officers made a devastating discovery.

They found Steadman dead alongside her 44-year-old daughter, Sarah Myers, and Myers’ four children: Harper Harmon, 13, Hudson Harmon, 11, and 10-year-old twins Gavin and Gracelynn Harmon.

The condition of the bodies indicated the victims had been dead for an extended period before officers entered the residence. Police said decomposition was so advanced that officers were initially unable to identify everyone at the scene.

At a press conference Thursday, Mechanicville Police Chief Bill Rabbitt announced investigators had uncovered significant evidence suggesting the deaths were intentional.

“There is recovered evidence from inside the apartment indicating intentional poisoning,” Rabbitt said.

According to investigators, officers recovered numerous prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs and other evidence from inside the home.

Police also located a handwritten note that officials say appears to implicate Steadman.

“Evidence recovered during the investigation, including a handwritten note, and other circumstantial evidence, strongly suggests that Amy Steadman was involved in the deaths,” Rabbitt told reporters.

However, authorities stressed that the investigation remains active and no final conclusions have yet been reached until forensic testing is complete.

Among the most disturbing revelations was confirmation that one of the children suffered fatal stab wounds.

Police have not publicly identified which child sustained the injuries, citing the ongoing investigation and respect for the family.

The remaining deaths appear consistent with poisoning, although authorities have not officially confirmed the specific substances involved.

Toxicology testing is still underway, and investigators cautioned that the final causes and manners of death will not be determined until the medical examiner completes a comprehensive review.

Officials emphasized they are carefully examining every piece of physical evidence before announcing definitive findings.

While police have remained cautious about releasing investigative details, unnamed law enforcement sources told local media that syringes were discovered inside the apartment.

According to those reports, investigators are exploring whether the victims may have been injected with drugs before their deaths.

Authorities have not publicly confirmed those claims, and investigators have declined to discuss what medications were recovered from the home while laboratory testing continues.

Police have also not commented on whether the handwritten note offers a motive or details about how the deaths occurred.

Despite the horrifying nature of the case, investigators said there is currently no evidence suggesting anyone outside the family participated in the deaths.

Chief Rabbitt said detectives believe the incident occurred entirely within the apartment.

“We believe these deaths occurred entirely within the apartment and found no evidence indicating the involvement of any outside individual,” he said.

Police also reiterated there is no known threat to the public.

Investigators continue to interview witnesses, analyze forensic evidence and await toxicology reports before making any final determinations.

As investigators continue piecing together what happened inside the apartment, the children’s father has shared the emotional toll the tragedy has taken on him.

Brady Harmon, who lives in Utah, said he had been preparing for months to welcome his children into his home.

According to Harmon, a family court had recently approved a parenting arrangement allowing the children to spend two months with him beginning July 1.

Instead of greeting his children at the airport, Harmon said police arrived at his home to tell him they had died.

“I went from, ‘I’m seeing my kids’ to ‘I’ll never see my kids again,'” Harmon said through tears.

The father explained that he had not physically seen his children since 2019, alleging that communication with them had become increasingly difficult over the years.

He said he treasured occasional FaceTime calls but believed his former wife frequently prevented meaningful contact.

Now, he says, those opportunities are gone forever.

“I want them as far away as possible from their mother,” Harmon said as he discussed plans to bury the children in Utah.

The devastating discovery came amid an ongoing custody dispute involving Harmon and Myers.

Court records previously showed Harmon had sought enforcement of a parenting agreement, alleging Myers had failed to comply with several court-ordered requirements, including providing medical and school records and facilitating communication with the children.

A hearing had reportedly been scheduled just days after the family was found dead.

Authorities have not indicated whether the custody proceedings played any role in the deaths.

However, local media cited unnamed sources claiming investigators are examining whether the impending transfer of custody may have contributed to the events inside the apartment.

Police have not confirmed any motive and continue to caution against speculation.

Residents of Mechanicville remain stunned by the deaths of an entire family.

Neighbors described the children as familiar faces in the community and struggled to comprehend how such a tragedy could occur.

Many have gathered near the apartment complex, leaving flowers, stuffed animals and handwritten messages honoring Harper, Hudson, Gavin and Gracelynn.

Community members have also expressed sympathy for Brady Harmon, who had hoped to rebuild his relationship with his children after years apart.

Despite the significant update, investigators stress that many questions remain unanswered.

The handwritten note recovered from the apartment is being carefully analyzed alongside forensic evidence and toxicology results.

Authorities have not officially ruled the deaths a murder-suicide, nor have they released the contents of the note.

Chief Rabbitt emphasized that investigators are committed to conducting a thorough review before reaching any final conclusions.

“This investigation is going to take a considerable amount of time to get right,” he said.

For now, the focus remains on determining exactly how six members of one family died inside the apartment and ensuring every aspect of the case is supported by scientific evidence.

As forensic experts continue their work, Brady Harmon says he is left grieving the future he believed was finally within reach.

Instead of preparing bedrooms and planning summer activities with Harper, Hudson, Gavin and Gracelynn, the father is now preparing to bury all four of his children—an unimaginable loss that has transformed what should have been a long-awaited reunion into an enduring heartbreak.