| Murder of Harmony Montgomery | |||||
| Location: | Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S. | ||||
| Type: | Child murder | ||||
| Victim: | Harmony Montgomery | ||||
| Perpetrator: | Adam Montgomery | ||||
| Motive: | Unknown | ||||
| Verdict: | Guilty | ||||
| Convictions: | Second-degree murder
| ||||
| Charges: | Second-degree murder | ||||
Harmony Renee Montgomery (June 7, 2014 – disappeared ; declared legally dead March 12, 2024) was an American child who was murdered by her biological father Adam Montgomery in Manchester, New Hampshire, presumably after a Massachusetts judge awarded her father custody.[1] Her biological mother, Crystal Sorey, reported her daughter missing after she lost custody of her in 2018. New Hampshire police launched an investigation into Montgomery's disappearance in December 2021.[2] [3] [4]
On January 22, 2022, the police determined that Montgomery was murdered, despite the absence of her body.[5] Montgomery's death sparked outrage and calls for reforms of child protective systems.[6] The trial for her murder began on February 8, 2024; her biological father Adam Montgomery and his wife Kayla were charged with second-degree murder.[7] [8]
On February 22, 2024, Adam Montgomery was found guilty of murder.[9] [10] [11] He was sentenced to 45 years to life in prison on May 9, 2024.
Harmony Renee Montgomery was born on June 7, 2014, to Crystal Sorey and Adam Montgomery. Because of her parents' issues with substance abuse, Harmony was placed into foster care with Tim and Michelle Rafferty at two months old. Harmony was partially blind in her left eye and had special behavioral needs. Her half-brother Jamison was born in 2016. Harmony took on the role of the big sister who took care of her brother during foster care, according to her foster mother, who said Harmony was a social, intelligent, and happy child. In 2018, Sorey lost custody of Harmony and her brother. Jamison was later adopted by Blair Miller and Johnathan Bobbitt-Miller, who went on to state that Jamison missed his sister and was distressed to learn about her disappearance.
In 2019, Adam Montgomery was awarded full custody of Harmony by Judge Mark Newman. Adam was living with his wife Kayla and their two sons in New Hampshire at the time. Harmony was subjected to beatings and abuse by her father.[12] [13] When Adam's uncle, Kevin Montgomery, noticed that Harmony had a black eye after visiting from Florida, Adam allegedly told him that he "bashed her" around. Kevin contacted child protective agencies to report the abuse, but nothing came of it. In late 2019, the Montgomerys were evicted from their home and began to live in a homeless shelter. Adam continued beating Harmony, who had trouble with toilet training. After beating her to death, Adam hid her body in a duffel bag.[14] [15]
On March 12, 2024, a New Hampshire judge granted Harmony's mother Crystal Sorey's request to have Harmony declared legally dead due to Adam Montgomery's confession to abusing her corpse.[16]
Harmony's mother, Crystal Sorey, became concerned when Adam didn't bring her to visit for Thanksgiving. She questioned him on Facebook about Harmony, but he blocked her. Sorey then filed a missing person report for her daughter. Adam Montgomery, meanwhile, claimed that Harmony was living with her mother. In December 2021, the Manchester Police Department held a press conference about the case while cooperating with New Hampshire authorities.[17] Police also interviewed Michael Montgomery, Adam's brother, who said he had witnessed his brother's abusive nature toward Harmony.
On August 11, 2022, Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg and New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella stated they believed that Montgomery was dead and that her father murdered her.[18]
Adam Montgomery was charged with second-degree murder, and the trial began on February 8, 2024 in the Superior Court in Hillsborough County. Prosecutor Christopher Knowles took the case while Montgomery was represented by Caroline Smith and James Brooks.[19]
Kayla Montgomery, meanwhile, became a state witness who testified against her now ex-husband Adam, who she said was physically and emotionally abusive during their marriage.[20] [21] Harmony's family members and former co-workers of her mother testified against Adam.
On February 22, 2024, Adam Montgomery was found guilty of second-degree murder and falsifying physical evidence by the jury.[22] [23] He was sentenced to 45 years to life in prison on May 9, 2024, with the sentence to be served consecutively with the sentence he was already serving for unrelated weapons charges.[24]