Karmelo Anthony’s family has made a new fundraising move after the original GiveSendGo campaign connected to his case was taken down following his murder conviction and 35-year prison sentence. The first campaign had raised around $625,000 before it was removed, and its disappearance immediately raised new questions about what would happen next.
The original fundraiser was created after Anthony was arrested in connection with the April 2025 killing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas. Supporters donated throughout the case, with the campaign listing expenses such as legal defense, family security, relocation, transportation, counseling, and daily living needs.
Even after Anthony was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison, donations reportedly continued to come in. That became one of the most controversial parts of the case, as critics questioned why a campaign connected to someone convicted of murder remained active.
GiveSendGo later removed the original page after the trial concluded. The platform said the fundraiser had served its original pre-trial purpose, while also explaining that future fundraising tied to Anthony would need to meet its rules, such as being clearly connected to an appeal or another qualifying need.
After the takedown, a new crowdfunding effort was reportedly created to support Anthony’s mother, Kala Hayes. The move drew attention because it came so soon after the original page disappeared and because the previous fundraiser had already been the subject of heavy public backlash.
Reports said activist Dominique Alexander, founder of the Next Generation Action Network, was involved in helping establish the new campaign. The new effort appears to shift the focus from Anthony’s legal defense to support for his family, especially his mother, as the case moves beyond sentencing.
The original GiveSendGo page had already faced rumors and accusations online, including claims that donation money had been used for a home or personal luxuries. Those claims were denied by organizers, and GiveSendGo previously pushed back against the idea that funds had been used that way.
Still, the controversy never fully went away. Many critics argued that the size of the fundraiser and the broad list of expenses made the campaign difficult to defend, especially while Austin Metcalf’s family continued grieving the loss of their son.
Anthony is now serving his sentence in the Texas prison system, but his legal team has also started the appeal process. That means fundraising connected to the case could continue in a new form if supporters say the money is meant to help with appeal costs or family needs.
For now, the new crowdfunding move has added another layer to a case that remains deeply divided in public opinion. The original fundraiser may be gone, but the debate over money, support, justice, and the pain left behind for Austin Metcalf’s family is still far from over.
