Austin Metcalf’s family delivered powerful and emotional victim impact statements in court following Karmelo Anthony’s 35-year prison sentence for the fatal stabbing of the 17-year-old at a Frisco high school track meet, describing a loss that continues to define their lives and reshape their sense of reality.

The courtroom fell silent as Metcalf’s grieving brother, Hunter, spoke directly toward Anthony, urging him to “look me in the eye” as he addressed the moment that changed his family forever. Hunter described Austin not only as his brother, but as his best friend, saying the loss had left a permanent void that could never be filled.

“You took a son, a brother, a friend, my best friend from this world,” Hunter said. He went on to say that Austin was “supposed to be an uncle to my kids,” adding that the future they once imagined together had been stolen. His voice carried through the courtroom as he spoke about grief, anger, and the long road ahead, telling Anthony, “Now I want everything taken from you.”

Hunter also reflected on his struggle to forgive in the aftermath of the killing, saying he has leaned on his faith while trying to process the tragedy. He said his brother’s memory would outlast public attention, stating that while names may fade, “my brother’s memory will live on.”

Austin’s father, Jeff Metcalf, also delivered a deeply emotional statement, describing his son as a “boy, twin, son, leader, true warrior.” He recounted memories of Austin’s childhood, including early milestones and moments that, he said, “went way too fast.”

Holding back emotion, Jeff Metcalf said the family had been “robbed” of Austin’s future, praising his athletic promise and leadership qualities. “I truly believe you had a great career ahead of you,” he said, as photos of Austin were displayed in court.

He also spoke about the broader impact of the case on his family, including harassment they endured during the legal proceedings. Turning toward Anthony, he did not hold back his frustration, saying, “You failed your parents, you failed yourself, and you failed society.”

Metcalf’s father emphasized that the case should not be defined by external narratives, saying firmly, “Please don’t make it about race,” as he described the incident as a personal tragedy that shattered his family’s life.

Austin’s mother, Meghan Metcalf, also gave a heartbreaking statement, describing the daily reality of living without her son. “Now my conversations with him are one-sided, sitting at his grave,” she said, adding, “…I have to accept that instead of walking beside me, he’s walking above me.”

She spoke about the emptiness of everyday life, recalling “empty rooms” and “empty beds,” and described Austin as a “morning kid,” a “hugger,” and a peacemaker who “always had a way of bringing people together.”

“My son was murdered. He didn’t just die,” she said, emphasizing the permanence of her loss. She reflected on her life with both Austin and his twin brother Hunter, saying, “From the moment my boys were born, they were my world. Now my house is quiet.”

Austin’s aunt, Marlee Needham, also addressed the court, describing the moment she learned of his death as unforgettable. She said the loss has created a “void in our family that can never be filled,” adding that while faith has provided some comfort, it has not erased the pain.

She remembered Austin as a dedicated athlete who often cared for her children and said the family will never know what his future might have held. “This is not a story. This is our reality,” she said. “And we will live with this loss forever.”