Stone-cold, two-line obituary for NY grandma suspected of poisoning daughter, grandkids

The tragic incident that unfolded in upstate New York, where a grandmother poisoned her daughter and four grandchildren before taking her own life, has left a community reeling. The sick grandmother, Amy J. Steadman, 64, was only remembered by her surviving family in a brutal, two-sentence obituary that simply stated her passing and that services were held privately.

Steadman, along with her daughter Sarah Myers, 44, and four grandchildren Harper Harmon, 13, Hudson Harmon, 11, Gavin Harmon, 10, and Gracelynn Harmon, 10, were discovered dead at Steadman’s home in Mechanicville after a welfare check was conducted by police. A handwritten note found at the scene strongly suggests that Steadman poisoned the four children before taking her own life, according to Mechanicville Chief of Police Bill Rabbitt.

The investigation revealed evidence of intentional poisoning using numerous prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. Toxicology testing is still pending to confirm the cause of death. Additionally, one of the children was found to have been stabbed in the tragic incident, which may have been sparked by a custody battle between the children’s father, Brady Harmon, and Myers.

Harmon, who had planned to take the children back to Utah for the summer, was devastated by the loss of his children. He had expressed concerns about their safety in the past and described the situation as “horrendous.” He had been fighting for custody of his children for years and lamented the broken system that delayed the process.

“My concern right now is being able to bring my kids home, and have them away from those two monsters that did this to them,” Harmon said, referring to Myers and Steadman. The heartbreaking tragedy has left a community in mourning and raised questions about the complexities of family dynamics and the need for better support systems for families in crisis.