A man in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole after committing one of the most brutal crimes the city has seen in recent years.
Maxwell Anderson, 34, murdered 19-year-old Sade C. Robinson on their first date, dismembered her body, and tried to cover up the crime before getting caught.
The victim’s grieving family made powerful statements in court, calling him a “demon” and expressing their deep pain.
What Happened on That Night?
Sade Robinson went on a date with Anderson on April 1, 2024. They were seen together on surveillance footage at a downtown Milwaukee restaurant and bar before heading to Anderson’s home in her Honda Civic around 9:30 p.m.
What happened next was horrifying. Investigators said Anderson had prepared his basement in advance — covering it with plastic tarps and setting up saws and a sanitation sink. Police believe he strangled Sade, dismembered her body, and dumped parts of it in Lake Michigan.
On April 2, around 3 a.m., a surveillance camera captured a car at Warnimont Park crashing through a gate. A person was then seen walking back and forth to the water. Hours later, Sade’s leg was discovered in the lake.
Later that morning, her burned-out Honda was found nearby. Anderson was caught on video boarding a bus close to the fire scene and returning home.
How Police Caught Him
When police searched Anderson’s home, they found blood stains leading to the basement and disturbing evidence of a “sex dungeon.” A phone app on Sade’s device also showed her phone leaving Anderson’s home around midnight, before heading to the park where her remains were later found.
More body parts were discovered in the following days and weeks, including a foot and flesh, all confirmed to be Sade’s. However, her torso has never been recovered.
Digital evidence was key to the case. Investigators recovered deleted photos from Anderson’s phone, including a chilling image of him holding Sade’s breast while she appeared either unconscious or already dead. Jurors said the photos were so graphic, they caused some of them to cry and feel physically sick.
Anderson was also found to have watched violent content on Netflix, particularly a show called “Love, Death & Robots”, which features a dismembered corpse on a beach — a disturbing parallel to what he did.
The Verdict and Emotional Courtroom Reactions
In June 2024, Anderson was found guilty of first-degree intentional homicide, mutilation of a corpse, and arson. On August 2, the judge sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The courtroom was filled with emotion as Sade’s family addressed Anderson directly.
Her mother, Sheena Scarbrough, broke down while speaking, calling him a “demon” and saying he would “never know peace.” She added, “I’m asking this demon be respectfully returned back to hell.” She described the trial as “torture” and said Anderson had targeted the wrong family.
Sade’s father, Carlos Robinson, said he wished Anderson would suffer the same fate his daughter did. “No man should be allowed to live after what he did,” he said.
Judge Laura Crivello noted Anderson showed no remorse, saying, “You have not taken any form of responsibility for what happened.”
Despite overwhelming evidence, Anderson still claimed he was innocent and said he planned to appeal.
A Life Cut Short
Sade was a kind and hardworking young woman. She worked two jobs, helped feed the homeless, and was close to earning an associate degree in criminal justice. She had also been thinking about joining the U.S. Air Force.
Her mother says she now plans to advocate for missing persons in honour of her daughter’s memory. “She will forever be remembered as an angel,” she said.
This tragic case has left a deep scar on Sade Robinson’s family and the entire Milwaukee community. Her brutal murder at the hands of someone she had just met serves as a painful reminder of how dangerous certain situations can become.
While justice has now been served, the grief remains for a young woman who had so much life ahead of her. May her story help create more awareness and safety for others.
