Missouri Woman Indicted on Federal Charges for Threatening Family of Teen Victim
Sharifa Nicole Henderson arrested for allegedly sending death threats to the family of Austin Metcalf following Karmelo Anthony's conviction.
A Missouri woman has been federally indicted in Texas on charges of interstate threatening communications for allegedly sending death threats to the family of Austin Metcalf. Sharifa Nicole Henderson, 34, was arrested in Kansas City on September 11. The indictment stems from threats made in the days following the June 9 conviction of Karmelo Anthony for the killing of Metcalf.
Prosecutors allege Henderson made three separate threats against the Metcalf family. On June 10, she reportedly sent a message via Facebook Messenger to a family member stating she would kill them and put them in a body bag, adding, "now this is a threat take me to court [expletive]." Later that same day, Henderson allegedly called the Collin County government, which prosecuted Anthony's case, and stated she would "demolish" the Metcalf family and "strangle" one of them. Another threatening message was sent on June 11 via Facebook Messenger, in which Henderson allegedly wrote, "Don't worry I'll kill you next. I will hunt you forever until I kill you...I will be there. You will always have to look over your [expletive] shoulder."
If convicted on all three counts, Henderson faces up to five years in prison for each charge.
The case involving Anthony, who was convicted of murdering 17-year-old Metcalf, has drawn national attention and become racially charged. Anthony, then 19, fatally stabbed Metcalf during a regional high school track meet at Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas, on April 2, 2025. Authorities stated there was no evidence the two knew each other prior to the incident. Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison, and a judge recently denied his motion for a new trial, though an appeal is reportedly being prepared.
Metcalf's father, Jeff Metcalf, told FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth that his family has received over 100 threats since the conclusion of the murder trial. The case saw public reactions including supporters of Anthony criticizing the jury composition and activists gathering outside the courthouse.