MANCHESTER, N.H. (WHDH) - Adam Montgomery, 32, has been arrested and charged in connection with the murder of his daughter, Harmony Montgomery, who disappeared when she was 5 in 2019.
According to Manchester Attorney General John M. Formella and Manchester Police Chief Allen D. Aldenberg, Adam Montgomery faces the following charges:
- Second degree murder for recklessly causing the death of Harmony Montgomery, a person under 13 years of age, under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life, by repeated striking Harmony Montgomery in the head with a closed fist, in Manchester on or about December 7, 2019;
- Falsifying physical evidence for purposely altering, destroying, concealing, or removing the body of Harmony Montgomery with a purpose to impair its verity or availability in an official proceeding or investigation, in Manchester between approximately December 7, 2019, and March 4, 2020;
- Abuse of corpse for purposely and unlawfully removing, concealing or destroying the corpse of Harmony Montgomery or any part thereof, in Manchester between approximately December 7, 2019, and March 4, 2020; and
- Tampering with witnesses or informants for purposely attempting to induce or otherwise cause Kayla Montgomery to testify or inform falsely, in Manchester between approximately December 7, 2019, and January 4, 2022.
“We understand that today’s news, while significant for purposes of this investigation, is yet another difficult moment for those who loved Harmony and those who followed this case,” Formella said at a news conference Monday.
Harmony, 5, went missing at the end of 2019, and wasn’t reported missing until 2021.
Over the course of their investigation, detectives returned to places Harmony had lived, digging up yards and removing furniture, including a refrigerator at one residence. Despite not finding a body, police announced over the summer that they believed the girl had been murdered.
“Every single one of you has been the voice of Harmony and seeking justice for her,” said Chief Aldenberg, pausing briefly to acknowledge the emotional weight of the investigation, “… has been your single motivation and number one priority for the last 10 months.”
Investigators said that between December 2019 and March 2020, Adam Montgomery destroyed his daughter’s body. As the case came together, both Harmony’s father and stepmother, Kayla Montgomery, were in jail on charges connected to the investigation, but not the actual murder.
After having Harmony Montgomery’s photos in the Manchester Police Department, Aldenberg said it was time to pay tribute to her.
“I know of no other way to respect and honor this innocent and defenseless child than to extend an act of kindness to another child in her memory,” Aldenberg said, asking parents to hug their children, to give them compliments and make them feel safe.
Adam Montgomery is expected to be arraigned on these charges in the Hillsborough County Superior Court in Manchester on Oct. 25.
The investigation is ongoing, and Manchester Police ask that the public submit information about the location of Harmony’s remains or the circumstances of her murder via call or text the 24-hour tip line dedicated to this case at 603-203-6060.
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