Karmelo Anthony will serve 35 years behind bars for murder while his family’s controversial fundraising campaign has been removed from public view. The convicted killer’s mother, Kala Hayes, organized the campaign that raised nearly $634,000 through GiveSendGo, an international crowdfunding platform. Anthony filed a notice of appeal to challenge his conviction just days after receiving his sentence on Tuesday. The 17-year-old victim, Austin Metcalf, was fatally stabbed during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas.
The fundraiser appeared on the platform on April 15, 2025, less than two weeks after the deadly incident. Initial goals targeted approximately $1.4 million. The campaign ultimately collected $633,999 before its removal. Questions emerged about how the substantial sum was distributed among the Anthony family’s needs throughout the legal process.
Campaign stated multiple purposes beyond legal defense
The now-defunct fundraiser titled “Help Karmelo Official Fund” outlined a broad range of intended uses for donated money. According to the platform description, legal defense represented only one component of the fundraising effort. The statement clarified that funds would support various urgent needs arising from the situation. Family relocation due to escalating safety threats topped the list of expenses. Additional costs included basic living expenses, transportation, counseling services, and other security measures. The campaign emphasized these necessities emerged as direct results of the circumstances surrounding the case.
The Anthony family relocated from their Frisco, Texas residence, though the exact destination remained undisclosed for security reasons. A man identifying himself as Anthony’s father on Facebook, Drew Anthony, publicly listed New Orleans, Louisiana as his current location on his social media profile. The family spokesperson, Dallas-based civil rights activist Minister Dominique Alexander, represented the family throughout the legal proceedings. Alexander maintained communication with media outlets regarding the family’s situation and needs.
Platform confirms lawful dispersal of fundraiser money
GiveSendGo addressed the campaign closure through an official statement posted on X. The platform confirmed the fundraiser supported pre-trial needs exclusively. Funds were dispersed over the past year for lawful purposes, according to the company. Legal defense and family relocation represented the primary expenditures. The platform emphasized its policy requires fundraiser stated purposes to remain accurate throughout the campaign’s duration. This transparency ensures donors always know what they are supporting. With the stated purpose now complete, the fundraiser was closed.
- Initial fundraising goal set at nearly $1.4 million
- Campaign raised $633,999 before removal
- Funds used for legal defense, relocation, and living expenses
- Family relocated from Frisco, Texas to undisclosed location
- Platform confirmed all dispersals were lawful
New fundraising campaign emerges for Anthony family
Despite the removal of the original campaign, a new fundraising effort reportedly appeared online. Dominique Alexander initiated this second campaign to continue supporting the Anthony family. Alexander served as the family’s official spokesperson throughout the criminal case and trial proceedings. The new campaign’s goals and target amounts were not immediately disclosed. The relationship between the first and second fundraising efforts remained unclear. Family representatives did not provide immediate comment on the new campaign’s specific purposes or financial targets.
The substantial amount raised in the initial campaign drew attention to how families of accused and convicted individuals seek financial support during legal proceedings. Public reactions to such fundraisers vary widely, particularly in cases involving violent crimes against minors. The Anthony family faced threats requiring relocation, according to the original fundraiser description. Security concerns influenced how funds were allocated across different needs. Transportation costs, counseling services, and basic living expenses competed with legal defense fees for the donated money.
Appeal process begins as Anthony serves sentence
Karmelo Anthony filed his notice of appeal shortly after receiving his 35-year sentence for murdering Austin Metcalf. The appeal challenges the murder conviction handed down by the court. Anthony remains in custody as the appellate process begins. Reports indicate he was moved to an undisclosed location within the correctional system for protection purposes. The isolation aims to ensure his safety while serving his sentence and pursuing his appeal. Legal proceedings in appeals can extend for months or years depending on case complexity and court schedules.
The victim’s family and community members followed the trial closely throughout its duration. Metcalf was 17 years old when he died at the track meet. The incident shocked the Frisco community and drew widespread media attention. Track meets are typically considered safe environments for student athletes and spectators. The fatal stabbing during such an event intensified public interest in the case and its outcome. Anthony’s conviction brought some measure of closure to those affected by the tragedy, though the appeal extends the legal process indefinitely.
