In a heart-wrenching account, Brady Harmon, a father deep in mourning, shared the last exchanges he had with his former partner regarding their children, days before a tragic incident unfolded. Authorities now believe the children, and others, fell victim to a harrowing murder-suicide.
Sarah Myers sent a message on June 10, which Brady later posted on Facebook, explaining that the children were battling a “stomach bug” and had been “throwing up.” In light of their condition, she requested to postpone their planned video call to the following day.
Brady responded with empathy, saying, “Hopefully they feel better soon.” Yet, when he called as planned the next day, there was only silence on the other end, according to the shared text messages.
Tragically, almost two weeks later, on June 23, the lifeless bodies of Sarah, her 64-year-old mother Amy Steadman, and Sarah’s four children—13-year-old Harper Harmon, 11-year-old Hudson Harmon, and 10-year-old twins Gavin and Gracelynn Harmon—were discovered within Amy’s residence in Mechanicville. The grim discovery came after police conducted a welfare check, as described in a statement issued by the Mechanicville Police.
Police Say Sarah Myers and Amy Steadman Gave Children Medication Before Death
Mechanicville Police Chief Bill Rabbitt confirmed to xygen.com that the tragic situation is currently being investigated as a murder-suicide.
“The investigation has determined that Amy Steadman and Sarah Myers were both involved in the deaths of the children,” he told Oxygen. “Evidence indicates that the children were likely given multiple over-the-counter and prescription medications, although we are still awaiting final toxicology results.”
One of the children, Gavin, also suffered multiple sharp-force injuries, he said.
According to Rabbitt, while the deaths of all four children were ruled homicides both Amy and Sarah “died by suicide.”
In a Facebook message dated Aug. 4, Brady said he was gutted by the “horrific actions taken against my children.”
Brady Harmon Reveals Final Text Messages With Ex Sarah Myers Before Murder-Suicide
In the days leading up to their deaths, Brady had been planning for a July 1 summer visit from his children. Text messages he shared in the post showed him sending Sarah the flight itinerary and asking what kinds of activities the children might like to do during their time with their dad.
“One of the things I’m working on is planning activities and experiences that fit each child’s interests, personality, and comfort level,” he wrote in a text dated June 8. “Since I have missed a significant amount of time with them, I want to make sure their summer is enjoyable, engaging and centered around things they genuinely like to do.”
Hours later, Sarah replied, “Ok I’ll talk to the kiddos about the stuff they would like to do over summer.”
Two days later, Brady and Sarah had their final text exchange in which she shared the children weren’t feeling well. That same day, she posted an image on Facebook of the family smiling for the camera.
“Nothing in these conversations warned me about what was allegedly being planned behind the scenes,” Brady wrote in the post accompanying the text messages. “On June 10, I was told my children were sick. I responded that I hoped they felt better. The following day, I attempted the rescheduled call and received no answer.”
He went on to add that he is still struggling to make sense of the tragedy.
“I cannot understand how anyone could claim that this was done to ‘save’ my children from harm,” he wrote. “The greatest possible harm was done to them. They were terrified, betrayed, and robbed of their lives by the very people who were supposed to protect them.”
“My children were not pawns to be sacrificed when control was slipping away. They were four beautiful human beings with personalities, dreams, fears, laughter, and an entire family waiting to love them,” he continued. “They were denied the opportunity to spend the summer with me, reconnect with their grandparents, sister, relatives, and everyone who had waited so long to hold them again.”
Now, Brady said he will keep his children’s memories alive by saying their names and sharing their story.
“Harper, Hudson, Gavin, and Gracelynn were loved,” he wrote. “They are still loved. They will always be loved.”
Rabbitt said police are still waiting for “final investigative information” before any more details of the crime are released.