The family of Austin Metcalf, a Texas teenager who was fatally stabbed, continues to endure threats and harassment following the conviction of Karmelo Anthony, the person responsible for the murder. Jeff Metcalf, Austin’s father, revealed that his family still receives malicious messages over a year after the incident.
“I get vile, disgusting text messages and voicemails,” Jeff Metcalf stated. He mentioned that, upon waking up one morning, he found three more threatening messages. These threats extend to those close to the family.
“Someone threatened Hunter’s life when we were in the courthouse,” he said, speaking of Austin’s twin brother.
The Frisco Police Department is aware of the threats and is actively investigating them. They are receiving numerous reports and gathering information on these threats. Although no arrests have been made yet, they emphasize that the investigations take time, and arrests remain possible. Meanwhile, police have increased patrols near the Metcalf home to ensure their safety.
Jeff Metcalf described the emotional, physical, spiritual, and financial toll this situation has taken on his family. The hostility extends beyond his immediate family.
During court proceedings, some of Austin’s friends faced aggressive behavior. They were confronted by people shouting hostile threats as they left the courthouse. These young individuals, ranging in age from 17 to 18, were visibly upset by the encounter.
Metcalf highlighted the overlooked trauma faced by young witnesses to Austin’s murder. He noted that the public discourse fails to consider the impact on those who saw the event unfold and must live with the experience.
A GoFundMe campaign set up for Karmelo Anthony was reportedly created and then shut down. Jeff Metcalf contends that surveillance footage of his son’s fatal stabbing contradicts some public claims about the event. He believes releasing the video could clarify misunderstandings.
“The video clearly shows the conversation lasted less than 10 seconds,” Metcalf explained. He remarked that the quick interaction among the students dispels rumors of a group attack on Anthony.
The controversy continues as discussions about the case fuel further harassment directed at the Metcalf family. The backlash coincides with scrutiny over fundraising efforts for Anthony and his family. While a recent fundraising campaign was refunded, questions persist about past campaigns that collected over $600,000.
Jeff Metcalf observed that others profited from discussing his son’s death while he was under a gag order. Metcalf avoided directly criticizing Anthony’s family but suggested their actions speak for themselves.
Despite the challenges, Metcalf expressed pride in his surviving son, Hunter, who testified at the trial. He recalled recognizing his son’s maturity after witnessing him on the stand.
Reflecting on the past year, Metcalf shared the ongoing pain of losing Austin. Nothing compared to this grief, he said, likening cancer to a minor inconvenience in contrast.