Woman Indicted Over Sickening Threats To Austin Metcalf’s Family

A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas has indicted a Kansas City, Missouri, woman on three counts of making interstate threatening communications in connection with messages allegedly sent to the family of Austin Metcalf.

Sharifa Nicole Henderson, 34, also known as Riffa Henderson, was named in an indictment returned September 9. She was arrested in Kansas City on September 11 and made an initial appearance in federal court in the Western District of Texas. Authorities said she is being transported to the Eastern District of Texas to face the charges.

Each count carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 if she is convicted.

The alleged communications occurred on or about June 9, 10, and 11, 2026, around the time a Collin County jury found Karmelo Anthony guilty of murder in the April 2, 2025, stabbing death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas. Anthony, then 19, was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

Prosecutors say Henderson used Facebook Messenger and a telephone call to threaten members of a crime victim’s family, identified in reporting as Jeff Metcalf, Austin Metcalf’s father. Investigators linked her to the messages through phone records and social media accounts.

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According to Fox News, Sharifa Nicole Henderson, 34, from Kansas City, was arrested on an East Texas Federal indictment, for sending death threats to Austin Metcalf's family. Here is the one which lead to her arrest:

"Don't worry I'll kill you next. I will hunt you forever until… pic.twitter.com/BW90QrFfeJ

— The Original Grey Beard Biker™ (Michael) (@_rockytop_biker) September 19, 2026

According to court documents, the first alleged contact on or about June 9 was a Facebook Messenger message threatening to kill a family member and put the person “in a body bag.” The same exchange included the statement, “Now this is a threat take me to court [expletive].”

On or about June 10, Henderson allegedly placed a telephone call to Collin County government intended for the Metcalf family in which she threatened to “demolish” the family and “strangle” a family member. A third communication on or about June 11 allegedly included the lines “Don’t worry I’ll kill you next” and “I will hunt you forever until I kill you,” along with the warning that she “will be there” and that the recipient would “always have to look over your [expletive] shoulder.”

U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs said the messages included “violent and vulgar threats” and “threats to stalk and kill members of the Metcalf family.” He added that threats against victims and their families would be treated seriously.

Local outlet KDFW reported that Henderson has a prior criminal record that includes disorderly conduct, theft, trespassing, and resisting arrest.

Jeff Metcalf has said that his family received more than 100 threats after the trial concluded. Frisco police had previously confirmed they were tracking multiple online threats against the family.

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