Sharifa Nicole Henderson, 34, has been indicted on federal charges after allegedly sending a series of death threats to the family of murdered Texas teenager Austin Metcalf during the trial of his convicted killer, Karmelo Anthony.
A woman from Missouri has been charged federally after allegedly sending repeated death threats to the family of Austin Metcalf, the Texas teenager who was stabbed to death at a high school track meet in April 2025. Sharifa Nicole Henderson, 34, is accused of threatening the Metcalf family on at least three occasions in June 2026, during the trial of Karmelo Anthony, the teenager convicted of Metcalf’s murder. Prosecutors say Henderson told family members she wanted to “strangle” one of them and warned she would hunt them down. She was arrested on 11 September and has since been transported to Texas for her initial court appearance.
Threats sent during and after Anthony’s trial
According to Henderson’s indictment, the threats began on 10 June, the day after Anthony’s trial concluded on 9 June. In her first message, Henderson allegedly told a member of the Metcalf family she would kill them and put them in a body bag, writing: “Now this is a threat take me to court [expletive].” Later that same day, prosecutors say she sent a further message warning she would “demolish” and “strangle” the family.
On 11 June, Henderson allegedly sent another threatening message, telling the family: “Don’t worry I’ll kill you next,” before adding: “I will hunt you forever until I kill you… I will be there. You will always have to look over your [expletive] shoulder.” Henderson has been indicted on charges of making interstate threatening communications. According to Fox4, she has a prior criminal record that includes charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, theft and trespassing.
Family describes ongoing harassment
Speaking to Fox4, Austin Metcalf’s father, Jeff, said the family had received more than 100 threats since the conclusion of Anthony’s trial. “People don’t understand what my family goes through every single day,” he said.
Background to the case
Karmelo Anthony was convicted of stabbing Austin Metcalf in the heart during a high school track meet in April 2025, a case that drew significant national attention amid wider debates over race, given that Anthony is Black and Metcalf was white. Anthony was subsequently sentenced to 35 years in prison. Last month, a judge rejected his motion for a new trial, and his attorneys have said the appeals process could extend into 2027.
Anthony family’s fundraising scrutinised
Following the rejection of the new trial motion, Anthony’s family held a press conference earlier this month appealing to the public for a further $250,000 in donations, despite having already raised more than $600,000 through crowdfunding. The renewed appeal has prompted questions over how previous funds were used, with critics noting that Anthony’s legal representation has been provided pro bono.
The Daily Mail previously reported that Anthony’s family relocated to a $900,000 home in an exclusive neighbourhood after receiving threats at their former address. According to a previous GiveSendGo campaign description, $515,000 raised in April 2025 was used to support “the safe relocation of the Anthony family due to escalating threats to their safety and well-being, as well as basic living costs, transportation, counseling, and other security measures.”
Anthony’s parents have said they intend to continue fighting for their son through the appeals process. A separate fundraising page, the Karmelo Anthony Legal Fund, has been launched to cover legal costs and has so far raised more than $30,000. According to the GiveSendGo page for that fund: “All contributions will be deposited directly into an attorney trust account administered by lead attorney Russell Wilson. Karmelo’s family will not receive, control, or spend these funds.” It adds that the money “will be used solely for legal expenses, briefs and filings, transcripts, investigators, experts, and other necessary litigation costs.”
