NEW YORK — The father of four children whose bodies were discovered alongside their mother and grandmother in an apartment in upstate New York has spoken publicly for the first time, saying he believes the children were killed before the two women took their own lives.
Brady Harmon said he suspects the deaths were connected to plans for the children to spend the summer with him in Utah after years of separation.
“It’s my speculation they did that together,” Harmon said in an interview with Spectrum News 1. “And all because they were going to spend 60 days with me.”
According to police, officers responded to an apartment in Mechanicville on Tuesday after a concerned neighbour reported not seeing the family for several days.
Inside the apartment, investigators found the bodies of 64-year-old Amy Steadman, her 44-year-old daughter Sarah Myers, and Myers’ four children — 13-year-old Harper Harmon, 11-year-old Hudson Harmon, and 10-year-old twins Gavin Harmon and Gracelynn Harmon.
Authorities said the bodies had been inside the apartment for an extended period before they were discovered.
Police Chief William Rabbitt said investigators recovered evidence, including a handwritten note, indicating that Steadman was involved in the deaths. Authorities have not announced whether Myers played a role in the killings, stressing that the investigation remains active.
Officials said preliminary findings indicate several of the victims died from intentional poisoning, while one child suffered fatal sharp-force injuries. Authorities have not released additional details as medical examinations continue.
Harmon said the planned visit would have marked the first time he had seen his children in more than six years after a lengthy legal battle over custody and visitation.
“I have been fighting for so long to be able to have access to them, fighting so long to be part of their lives and show them there’s something different,” he said. “Almost to that finish line, have my legs cut out from me because someone decided to take my kids away from me.”
He explained that he and Myers had been estranged for years and were involved in ongoing mediation concerning the children before the tragedy unfolded.
“I just feel so sorry,” Harmon said. “I wasn’t given the opportunity to love my children and hug them one more time.”
Police have not announced any final conclusions regarding the circumstances surrounding the deaths and say the investigation remains ongoing.
Father Speaks Out After Four Children Found Dead With Mother and Grandmother in New York
