You’ve probably seen the headlines or a stray TikTok video about it. The name "Karmelo Anthony" suddenly started trending, and for a second, everyone thought the former NBA star was in some kind of trouble. But this story has absolutely nothing to do with basketball. It's about a 17-year-old student from Frisco, Texas, a tragic stabbing at a high school track meet, and a massive amount of internet drama surrounding how money was being raised for his defense.
If you’re looking for the short version: yes, a GoFundMe was involved, but the real story is way messier than just a "cancelled" button.
The Confusion Between GoFundMe and GiveSendGo
To understand why people are searching for the karmelo anthony gofundme cancelled news, you first have to look at where the money actually was. Early on, after Karmelo Anthony was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Austin Metcalf, several fundraising pages popped up.
GoFundMe has very strict rules. They generally don't allow fundraisers for the legal defense of anyone accused of a violent crime. Because of that, a legitimate page for Anthony’s defense was never going to last long there. In fact, his family later clarified during a press conference that a GoFundMe page circulating in his name was a fake. It wasn't started by them. It was a scam.
The real money—over $515,000 of it—was actually sitting on GiveSendGo, a site known for hosting campaigns that other platforms boot off.
Why the "Cancelled" Rumors Started
The internet moves fast, and misinformation moves faster. People saw the fake GoFundMe get taken down and immediately started shouting that the family had been "cancelled" or caught in a scam. Then, a few things happened at once:
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- The family’s GiveSendGo reached its initial goal, and the "comments" section was disabled.
- A viral report from the Daily Mail claimed the family used the money to move into a $900,000 "luxury" home while the suspect was on house arrest.
- Critics started a massive campaign to get the GiveSendGo shut down, similar to what happened with Kyle Rittenhouse.
What Happened at the Frisco Track Meet?
It’s easy to get lost in the talk about money and forget there is a real tragedy at the center of this. On April 2, 2025, at David Kuykendall Stadium, a fight broke out. According to police affidavits, Karmelo Anthony (a student at Centennial High) and Austin Metcalf (a student at Memorial High) didn't even know each other.
It started over a seat under a tent.
Witnesses say Metcalf told Anthony to move. Words were exchanged. Anthony reportedly told Metcalf, "Touch me and see what happens." When Metcalf pushed or touched him, Anthony allegedly pulled a knife from his backpack and stabbed Metcalf once in the chest. Anthony stayed at the scene. He told officers he acted in self-defense.
The legal battle now hinges on that claim. Was a single push enough to justify a knife? Texas law on self-defense is robust, but the prosecution is pushing hard for a first-degree murder conviction.
The $500,000 Question: Where is the Money?
When the rumors about the karmelo anthony gofundme cancelled situation peaked, GiveSendGo co-founder Jacob Wells actually had to step in. He told reporters that the money hadn't been "stolen" or "cancelled." Instead, the family had updated their fundraiser description to include "relocation costs" because they were receiving death threats at their original home.
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Honestly, the optics were terrible. Seeing a family move into a larger home using donation money while a teenager is dead just a few miles away is a tough pill for the community to swallow. The family's mother, Kala Hayes, went on BET and other outlets to defend herself, saying they were being harassed and doxxed. She called the "luxury home" narrative a lie, though they did admit to moving for safety reasons.
Is the Fundraiser Still Active?
As of late 2025 and heading into 2026, the main GiveSendGo campaign has faced various "pauses" but hasn't been permanently deleted by the platform. They’ve essentially stood their ground, citing the "presumption of innocence."
But the backlash worked in other ways. Many donors requested refunds after the "luxury home" news broke, even if the family denied the specifics.
E-E-A-T: The Legal Reality in 2026
We have to be real about the legal situation here. Under Texas law, even though Anthony was 17 at the time of the stabbing, he is being tried as an adult.
- Charge: First-degree murder.
- Bond: Originally $1 million, later reduced to $250,000 by Judge Angela Tucker.
- Status: Indicted by a grand jury in June 2025.
- Trial Date: Currently set for June 1, 2026.
The reduction of his bond was another flashpoint. Judge Tucker, who is Black, faced intense doxxing and threats for lowering the amount. It turned a local tragedy into a national debate about race and justice. Metcalf’s family, meanwhile, has been vocal about their pain, with Austin's father, Jeff Metcalf, questioning how Anthony was allowed to graduate high school while his son was in a grave.
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What Most People Get Wrong
People keep looking for a "gotcha" moment where the money was seized by the government. That hasn't happened. While some third-party "scam" pages were definitely shut down by GoFundMe, the primary legal defense fund remains a lightning rod for controversy.
The "cancellation" was more of a social one than a financial one. The family has been effectively forced into hiding, and the local community in Frisco is deeply divided.
If you are following this case, it’s important to distinguish between the various platforms. GoFundMe doesn't want the liability. GiveSendGo thrives on it. That’s basically the whole story of why you see conflicting reports about the fund being "up" or "down."
Actionable Steps for Staying Informed
The trial isn't happening until mid-2026, so expect the noise to pick up again soon. Here is how you can actually track the truth without the social media fluff:
- Check the Collin County Court Records: Don't rely on "citizen journalists" on X. Search for case updates directly through the Collin County District Clerk’s portal.
- Verify the Platform: If you see a link for a "Karmelo Anthony" fundraiser on GoFundMe, it is almost certainly a scam. The family has explicitly stated they are not using that platform.
- Look for Official Statements: Follow the Frisco Police Department’s official releases. They have already had to debunk one fake "police chief" account that was spreading a fraudulent autopsy report.
- Understand "Direct File" Laws: If you're curious why a 17-year-old is in adult court, look up Texas "concurrent jurisdiction" laws. It explains the prosecutor's power to bypass the juvenile system entirely.
The case is a tragedy for two families. One is mourning a son who was an MVP linebacker with a 3.97 GPA; the other is watching their son face life in prison over a 30-second altercation at a track meet. Whether the money stays or goes won't change the fact that June 2026 will be a defining moment for the Frisco justice system.