AG: Harmony Montgomery, 5, of Manchester Was Murdered in December 2019

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JEFFREY HASTINGS photo

Pictures of Harmony Montgomery and the tip line number to report information about her homicide in this file photo.

Adam Montgomery, Harmony Montgomery’s father

By NANCY WEST, InDepthNH.org

CONCORD – Attorney General John Formella announced Thursday that the investigation into the disappearance of Harmony Montgomery, 5, of Manchester, is now being investigated as a homicide.

Harmony was missing in late 2019, but police were not notified for two years and began searching Manchester for her in late 2021.

Formella said:  “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.”

Investigators concluded that Harmony was murdered in Manchester in early December of 2019. 

Formella and Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg took no questions on camera at the press conference, but rather read brief statements at the Incident Planning and Operations Center in Concord.

Harmony’s father Adam Montgomery is being held on charges of assault for allegedly giving Harmony a black eye in 2019 and unrelated weapons charges.
His wife Kayla Montgomery, who is not Harmony’s mother, is free on bond charged with welfare fraud for accepting benefits for Harmony when she wasn’t living in the home. She also faces weapons charges and perjury for allegedly lying to a grand jury.

Details of the state’s case against both can be found here:

https://www.courts.nh.gov/media/requested-cases/criminal

The abuse allegation against Adam Montgomery was originally investigated in 2019 by a caseworker with the New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth and Families, who ruled it “unfounded.”

From about Dec. 6 to 10, 2019, Adam and Kayla Montgomery apparently had only their two common children, and Harmony was no longer with them.

A report out of the Massachusetts Office of the Child Advocate found that Adam Montgomery was given custody of Harmony in 2019, despite numerous red flags. The report faults the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, as well as the Massachusetts family court system for failing to protect the child.

“This is now officially a homicide investigation,” Formella said Thursday. “We understand this is truly devastating news to Harmony’s family friends and loved ones. Our work now turns to getting justice for Harmony and all who loved her.”

He said there is much more work to be done.

Chief Aldenberg emotionally implored anyone with information to please come forward.

“The time is now. Step up and do the right thing,” Aldenberg said. “Harmony’s a sweet and innocent child who deserves to be brought home to her family and friends.”

In February, Gov. Chris Sununu released a report on the case:

See full report here: https://indepthnh.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/harmony-montgomery-update-recommendations.pdf

The seven-page report said an anonymous allegation to the New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth and Families on July 29, 2019, that Harmony had a black eye and her father admitted causing it was deemed “unfounded.”

The report also detailed changes recommended in the child protection system as a result of her case. Manchester police started looking for Harmony in late December 2021, more than two years after Harmony’s mother, Crystal Sorey, last saw her on a video phone call on Easter 2019.

Harmony’s disappearance has captured the hearts of many across the country. Donations to the reward fund for information about her whereabouts topped $150,000.

If you have any information about the location of Harmony’s remains or the circumstances of her murder, please call or text the 24-hour tip line dedicated to Harmony Montgomery at 603-203-6060.

See InDepthNH.org’s past reporting here: https://indepthnh.org/?s=harmony+montgomery

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