An unimaginable family tragedy is being investigated in Mechanicville, New York, after 64-year-old Amy Steadman, her 44-year-old daughter Sarah Myers and Myers’ four children were found dead inside Steadman’s home.

Police said evidence recovered from the apartment, including a handwritten note, strongly suggests that Steadman was involved in the deaths of her daughter and grandchildren: 13-year-old Harper Harmon, 11-year-old Hudson Harmon and 10-year-old twins Gavin and Gracelynn Harmon.

According to Mechanicville Police Chief William Rabbitt, investigators found evidence indicating intentional poisoning, including numerous prescription and over-the-counter medications. One of the children also suffered sharp-force injuries, while the exact causes of death remain under investigation pending toxicology results and further medical examiner review.

Authorities stressed that there is currently no evidence suggesting anyone outside the family was involved.

The bodies were discovered on Tuesday evening, after a neighbour who had not seen Steadman for several days requested a welfare check. Police said the victims appeared to have been dead for an extended period of time, making identification at the scene difficult.

Investigators are also examining the family’s long-running custody dispute. The children’s father, Brady Harmon, who lives in Utah, had reportedly not seen them since 2019 and was preparing for them to come and stay with him under a custody arrangement.

Court documents cited by local media state that Harmon and Sarah Myers had joint custody, with Myers having the children during the school year and Harmon granted uninterrupted time with them during the summer months.

Speaking after police informed him of the deaths, Harmon described his devastation, saying he had gone from preparing to see his children again to realising he would never see them.

The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities awaiting toxicology results before making final determinations about the deaths.