The family of Austin Metcalf, a murdered Texas teenager, is enduring ongoing harassment more than a year after his death. Austin’s father, Jeff Metcalf, spoke about the distressing messages he continues to receive, alongside threats to his family. “I get vile, disgusting messages,” Metcalf shared. He noted that even his late son’s twin brother, Hunter, faced threats at a courthouse during the trial of the convicted murderer, Karmelo Anthony.
Frisco Police confirmed monitoring several online threats against the Metcalf family. “We are actively investigating these threats,” police stated. While no arrests have occurred, the police have increased patrols in the Metcalf family’s area.
The ongoing turmoil has deeply affected the Metcalfs. “It has drained me emotionally, physically, spiritually, financially,” said Jeff Metcalf. The hostility extends beyond immediate family; Austin’s friends were confronted outside court by a hostile group following the murder trial.
Public debate around the case has often ignored the impact on young witnesses of Austin’s killing. “What about the kids who saw it?” Metcalf asked. The murder case fueled online discourse and scrutiny over fundraising efforts for Anthony’s family. A recent fundraising campaign was halted, though prior efforts generated over $600,000.
Jeff Metcalf mentioned a surveillance video showing the fatal confrontation should be made public. “The video contradicts claims of Anthony being attacked by multiple students,” he said.
Despite the stress, Metcalf praised his son Hunter’s composure during the trial. “You stood up and communicated clearly,” Metcalf told him, expressing pride in the man Hunter had become.
Metcalf reflected on the loss he feels daily and compared the experience to his past battles with illness. “Cancer was hard, but this is harder,” he confessed while expressing his enduring sorrow.