Austin Metcalf family facing threats, financial strain as Karmelo Anthony fundraising draws scrutiny
As convicted killer Karmelo Anthony's family faces questions over hundreds of thousands of dollars raised through online fundraisers, the father of slain Texas teenager Austin Metcalf says his family is still dealing with death threats, harassment and the emotional fallout of the murder more than a year later.
Metcalf's father, Jeff, told Fox News Digital that he and other members of his family continue to receive threatening messages following Anthony's conviction and sentencing.
"I get text messages and voicemails that are just vile, disgusting things," Metcalf said on Thursday. "I woke up this morning. There's three of them already."
Metcalf said the threats have also targeted those closest to him.
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"Someone threatened Hunter's life when we were in the courthouse," he said, referring to Austin's twin brother.
The Frisco Police Department confirmed to Fox News that it is "tracking several online threats made against the Metcalf family."
"At this time, we are receiving numerous reports from concerned citizens and are actively gathering information while investigating each of these threats," police said. "No arrests have been made at this point; however, these investigations take time, and arrests are possible as the cases develop.
"For now, we have increased patrols in the area of the Metcalf residence to ensure their safety and the safety of our community while we continue to investigate. We encourage anyone who observes a direct threat to report it through our app, Tip411, or by calling our non-emergency number at 972-292-6010."
The strain has taken a significant toll on the Metcalf family.
"It has drained me emotionally, physically, spiritually, financially," Metcalf said.
He said the hostility has extended beyond his immediate family.
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He recalled an incident after court proceedings in which some of Austin's friends were confronted while walking to their vehicle.
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"They were surrounded by a mob of people screaming, 'F--- off,' and, 'You're going to wind up like Austin,' 'We're going to kill you,'" Metcalf said.
"These are high school-age children, 17-, 18-year-old kids," he said of his son's friends. "They were in tears."
Metcalf said the focus of the public debate has often overlooked the young people who witnessed Austin's killing and continue to live with the trauma.
"No one wants to really talk about, what about the kids who were there who saw it?" he said. "Who have to deal with this the rest of their lives."
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Jeff Metcalf says surveillance footage of his son Austin's fatal stabbing tells a far different story than some of the claims that have circulated online since the deadly confrontation at a Texas track meet.
The grieving father, who viewed the footage prior to it being shown during Anthony's murder trial, told Fox News Digital he believes the video should be released publicly because it would put to rest lingering questions about what happened beneath a Memorial High School team tent on April 2, 2025.
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"Yes, I've seen the video. I've seen the video a long time ago," Metcalf told Fox News Digital.
"The video clearly shows the conversation lasted less than 10 seconds. That's it," he said. "There was no four-on-one."
Metcalf said he would welcome the public release of the footage.
"To be honest, I'd love for it to be put out," he said. "So I could go, 'Look, if you weren't in the courtroom, or if you don't know, here's the video.'"
According to Metcalf, the footage directly contradicts claims that Anthony was jumped, surrounded or attacked by multiple students before the stabbing.
"He wasn't jumped. There was no four-on-one. He wasn't surrounded," Metcalf said. "Look at the video. There's a shove and there's a stab, and it's over and he runs away. That's it."
Metcalf's comments come as online debate over the case continues to intensify, fueling harassment and threats directed at his family. The backlash has unfolded alongside growing scrutiny of fundraising efforts tied to Anthony and his family.
A recently launched fundraising campaign was removed and refunded by the platform after raising hundreds of dollars. Questions have also persisted about previous fundraising efforts that generated more than $600,000 for Anthony's family following the fatal stabbing.
Metcalf, who spent much of the past 14 months under a gag order, said he watched as others publicly discussed the case while he remained largely unable to respond.
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"People just continually making up lies and false narratives to fit their stories," he said. "All the race-baiting...they're monetizing it. It's for clicks. They're making money, and that's their objective."
Frustrated by what he sees as people profiting from discussions surrounding his son's death, Metcalf added: "You're gonna make money off my dead son?"
Without directly attacking Anthony's family, Metcalf suggested the public could draw its own conclusions.
"I don't have to speak on it," he said. "Their actions will speak loud enough."
"Everyone can see how they acted," he added.
Despite the hardship, Metcalf said he remains especially proud of Austin's twin brother Hunter, who testified during the trial.
Recalling a conversation after Hunter left the witness stand, Metcalf said he realized his son had grown into a man.
"When you walked up to that jury stand, you were a boy," Metcalf said he told Hunter. "What I saw when you walked away was a man."
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"You stood up, you listened, you communicated. You were calm, cool, collected, and your thoughts were clear."
"I told him last night it's the proudest I've ever been of you in my life," Metcalf said while choking back tears.
The grief remains especially difficult as Metcalf watches Austin's brother navigate life without him.
Fighting back tears, the father reflected on raising the boys together.
"I just can't believe I'm without one," he said.
More than a year after Austin's death, Metcalf said the pain remains greater than anything he has experienced before.
"Until this, I thought cancer was the hardest thing that ever happened," he said. "Cancer's like a speed bump. It's nothing."
Fox News' Brooke Taylor, Tessa Hoyos and Kelsie Cairns contributed to this report.