A twisted instance of murder-suicide triggered by the lack of faith in the legal system has emerged from New York’s Mechanicville, claiming the lives of six family members.

According to the authorities, Sarah Myers, 44, and her mother, Amy Steadman, 64, came up with a sinister plan to kill Myers’ four children to “protect them.” Investigators later found text messages and electronic files showing how the mother and grandmother planned to get medication and poison the kids.

Before the tragedy struck, one of Myers’ kids, 10-year-old Gracelynn “Gracie” Harmon realized that her mother and grandmother were slowly poisoning her and her siblings. While dealing with an insufferable stomachache, Gracie confronted them.

“Why would you do that? You both won’t let me puke,” she asked the duo. Later that night, Steadman texted her daughter, writing, “Gracie is aware.” Despite being exposed, the two women continued carrying out their plot.

On June 23, police responded to Steadman’s apartment in Mechanicville, New York, where they found six family members dead in a murder-suicide. 10-year-old twins Gracelynn and Gavin Harmon, 11-year-old Hudson, and 13-year-old Harper had been murdered. Myers and Steadman took their own lives alongside the children.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Mechanicville Police Chief William Rabbitt provided more information on the murder-suicide, including the cause of death. He stated that Gavin died from multiple sharp force injuries, while Gracie, Hudson, and Harper showed clear signs of being poisoned.

“The medical examiner’s office has determined that the deaths of Harper, Hudson, Gavin, and Gracelynn Harmon were homicides and that the deaths of Amy Steadman and Sarah Myers were suicides. The investigation further determined that Amy Steadman and Sarah Myers conspired in planning and carrying out the murders of the four children before taking their own lives,” he revealed during the conference.

“We found no evidence that any other individual participated in these crimes. One of the earliest pieces of evidence recovered was a handwritten letter signed with Amy Steadman’s name. In that letter, the author accepts responsibility for what occurred and states that they believed killing the children was the only way to keep them safe from alleged abuse in Utah.”

“The author also claims that Sarah Myers had done everything she could, that no one would help her, and acknowledges that the events did not unfold as they planned.”

Investigators also recovered several handwritten papers believed to have been written by Myers. Although they were unsigned, the writings repeatedly referred to ‘my babies’, expressed anger towards the Utah family court system, alleged that she and the children had suffered abuse in Utah and claimed she had been unable to obtain legal representation.

Police also confirmed that Steadman visited multiple pharmacies in the days leading up to the killings. “Those conversations documented discussions regarding obtaining medications, where the murders would occur, how those medications would be administered, how the children would be brought together, what they would be told, and how suspicion could be avoided.”

Rabbitt added that Gavin suffered multiple sharp force injuries and had a defensive wound, indicating that he attempted to protect himself during the attack.

Investigators also recovered internet search history from Steadman’s home that included searches about medication reactions, the effects of insulin on non-diabetics, and the Utah court system. Later searches included “Where’s the most fatal place to be stabbed?” and “Find the carotid artery in the neck.”

Rabbitt further revealed that police visited the apartment twice before discovering the bodies, but officers did not enter during either visit. By the time they eventually went inside, the bodies had decomposed so severely that identifying the victims was initially difficult.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities await final toxicology results. However, investigators indicated some toxicology results may not be released to avoid encouraging copycat crimes.

The children’s father, Brady Harmon, said he received 10 notices from Child Protective Services about the family’s living conditions but does not know who reported them. Harmon also claimed Myers was under investigation for Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a disorder where a caregiver causes or fakes illness in a child to make them appear sick.

He wrote on Facebook, “My children were not pawns to be sacrificed when control was slipping away. They were four beautiful human beings with personalities, dreams, fears, laughter, and an entire family waiting to love them. They were denied the opportunity to spend the summer with me, reconnect with their grandparents, sister, relatives, and everyone who had waited so long to hold them again.”

“I believe the truth would have begun coming out once they were safely with me. They would have experienced the loving side of their family they had been separated from and taught to fear. Instead of allowing that relationship to be restored, the people responsible chose to permanently silence four innocent children.”

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat via 988lifeline.org.

Disclaimer: Inquisitr could not independently confirm the facts of this incident and is reporting based on the information available.