Austin Metcalf’s family says the pain of losing him has been made even worse by disturbing messages, online harassment, and threats that have continued after Karmelo Anthony’s murder conviction and 35-year prison sentence. What began as a courtroom case has now spilled into a wider public storm, leaving people connected to the trial worried about safety.
Anthony and Metcalf were both 17 when the fatal confrontation happened during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas, in April 2025. A jury later convicted Anthony of murder, rejecting his self-defense claim, and sentenced him to 35 years in prison.
Since the verdict, Anthony’s legal team has filed a notice of appeal, meaning the case is not fully over. But outside the courtroom, emotions have continued to rise, with supporters, critics, and strangers arguing over the verdict, the sentence, and the larger questions surrounding the trial.
One video circulating online has drawn attention from authorities after reportedly showing a confrontation involving someone falsely accused of being connected to the jury. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has said investigators are aware of the footage and are working to determine where it came from and who was involved.
The concern is not only about actual jurors, but also about misinformation putting innocent people at risk. Reports say some strangers have been wrongly identified or confronted because of online speculation, raising fears about how quickly anger from a viral case can move into real life.
At the same time, fundraising efforts connected to Anthony have also drawn scrutiny. A GoFundMe campaign reportedly appeared online and raised several hundred dollars before being removed, with the platform saying its policies do not allow fundraisers for the legal defense of people charged with violent crimes.
For the Metcalf family, the most painful part has been the messages they say have targeted them directly. Reports say relatives have received cruel texts blaming Austin, targeting his twin brother Hunter, and making disturbing comments about Austin’s resting place.
The identities of the people behind those messages have not been publicly confirmed. It is also unclear exactly which family members received each message, but the reports have added to growing concern over the harassment Austin’s loved ones say they have faced since the case became national news.
Austin’s father, Jeff Metcalf, has previously said he continues to receive death threats and has dealt with personal information being shared online. Reports also said the family’s home was targeted in a false emergency call last year, creating another frightening situation for a family already grieving.
Now, as Anthony’s appeal process begins, Austin Metcalf’s family says they are still living with both grief and fear. The verdict may have ended one part of the case, but the threats, accusations, and online anger show that the damage surrounding this tragedy has continued far beyond the courtroom.
