Harmony Montgomery was murdered in Manchester, New Hampshire, investigators conclude
CONCORD, N.H. - The Harmony Montgomery case is now officially a homicide investigation, New Hampshire authorities announced Thursday. The attorney general said new evidence shows the young girl was murdered in Manchester in early December of 2019.
"At this point, while Harmony's remains have not yet been located, we do have multiple sources of investigative information, including just recently confirmed biological evidence that have led us to this difficult and tragic conclusion," Attorney General John Formella said at a news conference. "Our work now turns toward getting justice for Harmony and all who loved her."
Eight-year-old Harmony was reported missing in New Hampshire at the end of 2021 but she has not been seen since 2019 when she was five years old. No one has been charged in her disappearance.
"Our greatest fears were confirmed today and now our efforts shift to ensuring justice for Harmony," Gov. Chris Sununu said in a statement. "We have come to know Harmony through her bright smiles in her photos and she will not be soon be forgotten by her fellow Granite Staters."
Harmony's father, 32-year-old Adam Montgomery, is currently being held at the Hillsborough County House of Corrections on several charges. He was arrested in January and charged with felony second-degree assault stemming from alleged conduct against Harmony in 2019.
Harmony had been in the care of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) in Massachusetts starting back in 2014 before a Juvenile Court judge awarded custody to her father in New Hampshire in February 2019.
Her stepmother, 31-year-old Kayla Montgomery, was charged in June with two counts of perjury after she allegedly lied under oath about the time and location of a prior work shift. Kayla Montgomery had been out on bail after being jailed on welfare fraud charges. Investigators claimed she was collecting benefits because Harmony was living with her and Adam Montgomery, but the girl was not actually there.
"I know over the past eight months there have been discussions, speculation, and questions relative to where the system failed Harmony," Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg said. "However, the homicide of this little girl rests with the person or persons who committed this horrific act. The Manchester Police Department will do everything within the limits of the law to ensure that the responsible person or persons for the murder of Harmony are brought to justice."
In June, police and the FBI searched a home in Manchester where Harmony's father and estranged wife previously lived. Investigators were seen bringing a refrigerator in and out of the home.
The reward for information leading to an arrest is now at $150,000. Anyone with information can call a tip line at 603-203-6060.