Mechanicville, New York — The grandmother suspected of killing her daughter and four grandchildren before taking her own life has been remembered in an unusually brief obituary, as investigators continue working to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the family’s deaths.

The obituary for Amy J. Steadman, 64, contains just two sentences:

“Amy J. Steadman, 64, pᴀssed away on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Per the request of the family, services were held privately.”
The notice, published by a funeral home in Albany, includes no pH๏τograph or personal tribute.

Authorities say Steadman, her daughter Sarah Myers, 44, and Myers’ four children—Harper Harmon, 13; Hudson Harmon, 11; Gavin Harmon, 10; and Gracelynn Harmon, 10—were found ᴅᴇᴀᴅ inside Steadman’s home in Mechanicville after police responded to a welfare check.

According to Mechanicville Police Chief Bill Rabbitt, investigators recovered a handwritten note from inside the residence that “strongly suggests” Steadman intentionally poisoned the family before taking her own life.

Police also reported finding evidence indicating the use of numerous prescription and over-the-counter medications. Officials have emphasized that the exact causes of death remain pending toxicology testing.

Investigators have further confirmed that one of the children suffered a stab wound. Authorities have not released additional details while the investigation remains ongoing.

According to reports citing unnamed sources, investigators are examining whether an ongoing custody dispute may have played a role in the tragedy.

The children’s father, Brady Harmon, had recently won custody and planned to bring the children to Utah for the summer. Harmon told The U.S. Sun that during a conversation with Myers on June 10, she informed him the children were ill, delaying the planned visit.

Harmon and Myers married in 2015 before separating four years later. He has said he had not seen his children in person since the separation but spent years fighting through the court system for custody.

In interviews following the tragedy, Harmon expressed frustration with what he described as a lengthy and difficult legal process.

“The system is broken; it takes way too long to get anything done. I spent six and a half years fighting to be able to have access to my kids,” he told Fox News.
He also said his immediate priority is bringing his children’s remains home and ensuring they are remembered with dignity.

The investigation remains active as medical examiners await final toxicology results, which authorities say will help determine the precise causes and manner of each death.

Source: New York Post