In a courtroom drama that has gripped the nation, Kayla Montgomery, the estranged wife of Adam Montgomery, took to the stand to testify against him in his trial for the murder of their five-year-old daughter, Harmony. The trial, unfolding in New Hampshire, has brought to light shocking details surrounding the disappearance and death of Harmony, who was last seen alive in late 2019.
Authorities' failure to promptly search for Harmony Montgomery, despite her being known to protective services, adds a layer of tragedy to the case. It wasn't until more than two years after her disappearance that efforts to locate her began in earnest. In 2022, Adam Montgomery was charged with second-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, falsifying physical evidence, and witness tampering in connection with Harmony's disappearance.
During her testimony, Kayla Montgomery provided chilling insights into the events leading up to Harmony's death. She recounted how Adam, in a fit of rage triggered by a bathroom accident, repeatedly struck the little girl, causing her distressing pain. "She was crying and making a weird noise," Kayla recounted in court. "Adam was punching her repeatedly in the head... He said, 'Shut the f*** up, stop crying.'" Following the assault, Adam placed Harmony's lifeless body in a cooler, which he then concealed in his workplace freezer. In March 2020, he disposed of her remains.
The horrifying details continued as Kayla described how Adam attempted to conceal Harmony's body by moving it multiple times. Initially stored in a red freezer with a white lid, Harmony's remains were later hidden in a ceiling vent when the family relocated to a shelter. Prosecutors presented a medium-sized tote bag, explaining that Adam had "compressed and contorted her body into this bag." Two years later, investigators discovered deep blood stains in the ceiling vent, along with the unmistakable scent of decomposition, painting a grim picture of the tragedy that unfolded.
Kayla claimed in court that Montgomery discussed gruesome methods to dispose of Harmony's decomposing body, including using a handsaw, lime, and even a NutriBullet. She testified that Montgomery spent hours in the bathroom attempting to "dethaw" Harmony's frozen remains, cutting her clothes off and running hot water over what was left of her.
"He talked about using a handsaw and a NutriBullet," Kayla recounted. "He thought they would be useful to help get rid of her... I saw Harmony folded up the same way she was when we took her out of the car. She looked like she had barely any skin, just skin and bones and was very bruised. He had the hot water running in the tub."
While it remains uncertain whether Montgomery actually used a NutriBullet, Kayla stated that she saw a "large" bag of lime in the bathroom. Prosecutors revealed that Montgomery purchased lime, a metal-cutting blade, and a grinder from Home Depot.
Kayla disclosed that at one point, Montgomery asked her to assist him in further destroying Harmony's remains, but she found it overwhelming and retreated to the living room with her two young sons. Montgomery allegedly placed the remains back in the tote bag and returned them to the freezer.
"He said he wanted to dispose of the body soon because he was afraid of potential consequences for himself and the children," Kayla recounted.
Kayla also testified that Montgomery became paranoid that she was speaking to the police and allegedly began abusing her. She described an incident in 2021 where she attempted to flee the home where Montgomery had isolated her, holding her newborn daughter. Montgomery caught up with her and put her in a chokehold.
"He punched me in the head with his fist," she recalled. "At one point, I falsely claimed I was talking to the police, even though I wasn't. He threatened to have his family members kill me and dismember me."
Additionally, Kayla shared details about Montgomery's efforts to gain custody of Harmony, including their marriage on Harmony's second birthday in 2017 and decorating Harmony's room with a Mickey Mouse theme. However, she did not specify when the abuse began. She mentioned coming home from work one summer day in 2019 to find Harmony with a black eye, allegedly caused by Montgomery hitting her because she had her fingers near her baby brother's mouth. Montgomery fled the home with Harmony upon seeing a representative from the Department of Child and Family Services approach the house after his uncle contacted the department.
Despite the ongoing trial, Harmony Montgomery's remains have never been recovered, leaving a haunting void in this heart-wrenching case. As the proceedings continue, the nation watches with bated breath for justice to be served in the name of Harmony and all victims of such senseless violence.
