Karmelo Anthony, who was charged in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a 2025 track meet in Frisco, Texas, was found guilty of murder by a jury on Tuesday. As the verdict spread, renewed attention also fell on viral online claims about how his family allegedly used money raised through public fundraising campaigns.

The case (Pat Lopez via AP) drew widespread discussion on social media platforms including X and Facebook, where speculation about the family’s finances circulated heavily during and after the trial.

In April 2025, rumors began spreading online claiming that Karmelo Anthony’s family used donation funds to purchase a new house and luxury vehicles. Some posts alleged the purchase of a “$900,000 home” and a new Cadillac Escalade. One widely shared post on X received nearly 60,000 likes and was later reposted by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, amplifying the claims further.

Despite the viral nature of these allegations, there is no verified evidence that fundraising money was used for any such purchases.

Fundraiser status and access to funds

Anthony’s family launched a GiveSendGo campaign that had raised nearly $500,000. However, at the time the rumors began circulating, the family stated they had not yet received any of the funds.

During an April 17 press conference, Anthony’s mother, Kala Hayes, said claims that the family used donations to buy a home or other assets were “completely false.” She explained that no money had been withdrawn at that point and that the family had only recently been informed they could begin the withdrawal process, which would still take additional time.

GiveSendGo co-founder Jacob Wells also confirmed that no funds had been withdrawn from the campaign at the time, a statement later echoed in reporting by TMZ and communicated to fact-checkers at Snopes via email. Because the money had not been accessed, there is no evidence supporting claims that it was spent on property or vehicles.

Platform rules and other fundraising claims

Reports also referenced possible GoFundMe campaigns connected to Anthony’s case. However, GoFundMe has stated that fundraisers related to legal defense in violent criminal cases violate its platform policies. Such campaigns are typically removed and donations refunded before funds can be accessed.

According to the GiveSendGo page, donations were intended for multiple purposes, including legal defense, relocation, living expenses, transportation, counseling, and security. The family also cited safety concerns and threats as reasons relocation support might be necessary. Hayes said misinformation and online harassment had created risks for her husband and younger children.

Where the house rumors originated

Much of the speculation about a home purchase appeared to originate from an April 16 Daily Mail report that described Anthony’s family staying in a gated community. The article suggested the residence had an estimated value of around $900,000 but did not claim it was purchased using donation funds. It also indicated the family was renting the property rather than owning it. The report referenced an unnamed neighbor who questioned the optics of fundraising while living in an expensive area.

Court records later listed an address associated with Anthony in the same neighborhood, and real estate estimates placed the home’s value at more than $850,000. However, property value alone does not indicate ownership, and no documentation confirmed a purchase using fundraising money.

No evidence of luxury purchases

There is no credible evidence showing that the family received expensive vehicles, luxury goods, or a Cadillac Escalade purchased with donated funds. Fact-checking reviews, including reporting cited by Snopes, found no proof of such transactions or deliveries tied to the residence.

Snopes also noted confirmation from GiveSendGo that no withdrawals had been made while the rumors were circulating. As a result, claims that fundraising money was used for a house or car have not been substantiated by verified records or financial evidence.

In conclusion, despite widespread online speculation, available reporting and platform statements indicate there is no proof that Anthony’s family used fundraiser money to purchase property or vehicles.