A new toxicology report has revealed disturbing details about the deaths of four siblings who were killed in a murder-suicide involving their mother and grandmother in Mechanicville, New York. Investigators say the children had lethal amounts of an allergy medication in their systems, while four of the six people involved also tested positive for a compound found in kratom.
The findings have brought renewed attention to the case, which shocked the community after the children were discovered dead inside their grandmother’s home in June.
Four Siblings Found Dead in Grandmother’s Home
The victims were identified as 13-year-old Harper Harmon, 11-year-old Hudson Harmon, and 10-year-old twins Gavin Harmon and Gracelynn Harmon.
Police found the children deceased at their grandmother Amy Steadman’s home in Mechanicville on June 23. Steadman, 64, and the children’s mother, Sarah Myers, 44, were also found dead. Authorities determined that the incident was a murder-suicide.
According to the toxicology findings, all six individuals had diphenhydramine in their systems. The medication is an antihistamine commonly found in allergy and sleep medicines, including Benadryl.
Investigators said the amount detected in each person was fatal or lethal.
Allergy Medication and Kratom Detected in Toxicology Tests
The report also identified mitragynine, the main psychoactive compound in kratom, in four of the deceased individuals.
Kratom is an herbal substance that has been associated with sedative effects and opioid-like properties at high doses. It is sometimes sold in products available through convenience stores and other retail outlets.
Mechanicville police have not released individual toxicology reports showing which people had both substances in their systems. However, authorities confirmed that all six had lethal levels of diphenhydramine.
Police also confirmed that Gavin Harmon had been stabbed in addition to being poisoned.
The findings provide further insight into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, although investigators have not publicly disclosed every detail of the sequence of events.
Custody Dispute Preceded the Tragedy
The deaths occurred amid a long-running custody dispute involving the children’s parents.
The children’s father, Brady Harmon, had been seeking custody for years. He had been preparing for the siblings to spend the summer with him in Utah, where they were expected to reconnect with family members they had not previously met.
The children were reportedly scheduled to travel to Utah on July 1.
Brady and Sarah Myers had separated in 2019. In comments following the tragedy, he expressed his heartbreak over losing his children and described the devastating impact of the killings.
The newly released toxicology findings add to an investigation that has raised serious questions about the events leading up to the deaths. Authorities continue to examine the case as more information emerges.
