A handwritten note discovered at the scene of a tragic apartment in Mechanicville, New York, has revealed that a grandmother allegedly poisoned her daughter and four grandchildren with a cocktail of medications, according to police. The bodies of Amy Steadman, 64; her daughter Sarah Myers, 44; and Myers' four children—Harper, 13; Hudson, 11; and 10-year-old twins Gavin and Gracelynn—were found on Tuesday evening.
Evidence Points to Poisoning and Sharp Force Injuries
Mechanicville Police Chief Bill Rabbit confirmed that preliminary autopsy findings suggest a combination of prescription and over-the-counter medications was used in the suspected poisoning. Additionally, one of the children suffered fatal sharp force injuries from an unidentified weapon. “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 at a press briefing. However, he cautioned that final determinations will await toxicology results and medical examiner reviews.
Neighbors Reported Smell of Death
Authorities were alerted after a neighbor contacted police, reporting “the smell of death” emanating from the apartment, along with flies gathering around windows and an air conditioning unit. Investigators believe the victims may have been dead for up to 13 days, though the exact time of death remains unconfirmed. The bodies were formally identified following autopsies conducted on Wednesday.
Custody Dispute and Heartbroken Father
The children's father, who had been engaged in a custody dispute with Sarah Myers, told The U.S. Sun that he was scheduled to collect the children and return to Utah on June 30, just days after their bodies were discovered. “No parent wants to outlive their children. It breaks my heart,” he said.
Investigation Ongoing
Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths, with toxicology reports pending. The community remains in shock as more details emerge about the tragic event. Chief Rabbit emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and that no final conclusions have been reached regarding accountability.
