Sarah Myers and Amy Steadman Killed Four Children Before Taking Their Own Lives

 

Sarah Myers and Her Mother Killed Four Children Before Taking Their Own Lives

In June 2026, six members of one family were found dead inside an apartment in Mechanicville, New York.

The victims were Sarah Myers, 44; her mother, Amy Steadman, 64; and four children: Harper, 13, Hudson, 11, Gavin, 10, and Gracelynn, 8.

According to the Mechanicville Police Department, toxicology testing determined that all six died from fatal doses of diphenhydramine, commonly known as Benadryl.

Investigators concluded that Myers and Steadman killed the four children before taking their own lives.

Police believe the deaths occurred around June 10. Recovered text messages and handwritten notes reportedly showed that Myers and Steadman had begun planning the murder-suicide on June 5.

Investigators said the plan was connected to a six-year custody dispute involving the children's father, Brady Harmon.

Police classified the deaths of the four children as homicides and the deaths of Myers and Steadman as suicides.

One child, 10-year-old Gavin, suffered multiple sharp-force stab wounds and defensive injuries, indicating that he fought back.

Court records released after the deaths added another layer to the case. Child Protective Services had investigated the family multiple times over several years, including concerns about Myers's mental health. Despite recommendations for psychological evaluations, officials apparently took no action to remove the children from the home.

In September 2026, Brady Harmon filed a $400 million civil lawsuit against the City of Mechanicville, Saratoga County, the Mechanicville School District, and the Ballston Spa Central School District. The lawsuit alleges systemic failures and claims officials failed to properly intervene despite years of documented child-abuse and mental-instability concerns. Those claims remain allegations in ongoing civil litigation.

Harper was 13. Hudson was 11. Gavin was 10. Gracelynn was eight.

Whatever was happening between the adults, the children were not parties to a fucking custody dispute. They were children. And Gavin's defensive wounds tell us at least one of them fought to stay alive.