GRANDMOTHER SUSPECTED AFTER MULTIPLE FAMILY MEMBERS FOUND DE-AD IN MECHANICVILLE – POLICE RECOVER HANDWRITTEN NOTE AS INVESTIGATORS WORK TO UNRAVEL HEARTBREAKING TRAGEDY
MECHANICVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10)– On Tuesday, six people were found dead inside an apartment on Harris Avenue while police were conducting a welfare check. Now, Mechanicville Police have given an update on their investigation.
On Tuesday at around 6:30 p.m., officers responded to the John S. Moore Housing Complex after neighbors had not seen the M5 resident for weeks. After responding and not making contact, officers contacted building management and gained access to the apartment.
The Mechanicville Police Department said when officers went inside, they found four children and two adults dead.
“Mechanicville is a close knit city. Many residents knew the family involved, have children and grandchildren of their own,” Chief Bill Rabbit said. “Or simply cannot comprehend the loss of six lives under such heartbreaking circumstances.”
On Wednesday, the victims were identified as:
64-year-old Amy Steadman, who was the grandmother
44-year-old Sarah Myers, who was the mother
13-year-old Harper Harmon
11-year-old Hudson Harmon
10-year-old twins Gavin and Gracelynn Harmon
According to Rabbit, the grandmother, Amy Steadman, lived in the apartment and her daughter and grandchildren lived in a nearby unit.
Rabbit said when officers discovered the bodies, officers could not initially identify them. On Wednesday, autopsies were conducted and that’s how officers were able to identify the victims.
He said the specific cause and manners of death are pending a complete autopsy and toxicology report, but one of the children suffered “fatal sharp force injuries.”
According to the police department, investigators also recovered evidence that showed there were indications of intentional poisoning from numerous prescription and over the counter medications, as well as a note suggesting who was involved.
“Evidence recovered during the investigation, including a handwritten note and other circumstantial evidence, strongly suggests that Amy Steadman was involved in the deaths,” Rabbit said. “However, final determinations regarding accountability will be made only after all investigative findings, toxicology results and medical examiner reviews have been completed.”
SOURCE: https://www.news10.com/news/saratoga-county/mechanicville-pd-provides-update-on-family-death-investigation/
