MECHANICVILLE, N.Y. (WRGB) — Family members of a woman and four children found dead alongside their grandmother in Mechanicville are urging the public not to rush to conclusions as investigators continue to search for answers.
On Wednesday, Mechanicville Police identified the six victims as Amy Steadman, 64; Sarah Myers, 44; Harper Harmon, 13; Hudson Harmon, 11; and twins Gavin and Gracelynn Harmon, both 10.
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The victims were discovered Tuesday during a welfare check at Steadman’s apartment at the John S. Moore Homes, a residential development provided by the Mechanicville Housing Authority.
Myers and her four children also lived in the apartment complex, in another unit nearby.
Police have released few details about what happened inside the home. Investigators have described the case as a criminal investigation but say there is currently no evidence indicating any additional individuals were involved in the deaths, and there is no known threat to the public.
The unusual circumstances have fueled widespread speculation online, much of it focused on Myers.
Her cousin, Cazlynn Ross, told CBS6’s Briana Supardi the family is devastated by both the loss and the online commentary.
“She was a wonderful person and wonderful mother. I know she was going through a custody battle and we are so heartbroken and don’t understand what happened and we need answers to find out what happened,” Ross said in a statement. “We would like people to stop assuming and bashing her saying she did it when we have no idea what happened. It’s bad enough we just lost six family members. All the negativity and bashing about Sarah hurts us.”
Outside the apartment where Myers and her children lived, signs of their lives remain. Children’s bicycles were parked near the home Wednesday, while a teddy bear sat beside the doorway. A neighbor placed balloons and a small memorial outside the residence in memory of the family.
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Neighbors described the family as quiet and said they largely kept to themselves.
One neighbor close to Amy Steadman said Myers and the kids were always over her home, describing a close mother-daughter bond between the two, adding that there were no warning signs that something like this could happen.
While many in the community are struggling to understand what may have happened, relatives say they are waiting for facts before drawing conclusions.
A review of Steadman’s and Myers’ social media posts show that Myers may have been a victim of domestic violence. In one post, she discussed a desire to start a nonprofit organization aimed at helping children in crisis or impacted by abuse.
Ross said family members had not heard from Myers or the children in approximately two weeks before the welfare check.
Authorities say autopsy results are pending and are expected to help determine the cause and manner of death for all six victims.
Mechanicville Police will be holding a press conference Thursday at 10 a.m. to provide an update on their investigation. CBS6 will have updates on-air and online.
