A horrifying crime in Milwaukee has ended with a life sentence and a courtroom filled with heartbreak and anger. Maxwell Anderson, 34, was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the brutal murder and dismemberment of 19-year-old Sade C. Robinson — a young woman full of promise who had gone on a first date with her killer. The gruesome details of the case shocked the city and devastated Robinson’s family, who confronted Anderson during his sentencing with raw emotion and fury.
The Crime That Shook a Community
On April 1, 2024, Robinson went on a first date with Anderson. Surveillance footage showed the two at a downtown Milwaukee restaurant before heading to Anderson’s home around 9:30 p.m. That would be the last time Robinson was seen alive.
By April 2, her family reported her missing after she failed to show up for work. Later that day, a human leg was found in Warnimont Park, followed by other body parts in the days to come — but her torso was never recovered.
A Chilling Investigation Unfolds
Police uncovered a gruesome scene at Anderson’s home. His basement was lined with painter’s tarp, equipped with a sanitation sink and three saws — showing clear signs of premeditation. Investigators also found blood in a bedroom and on walls leading to the basement. Surveillance and phone records tied Anderson to the crime, including video showing Robinson’s burned-out Honda Civic, abandoned and set on fire.
Further evidence showed Anderson trying to delete graphic photos from his phone. Investigators recovered shocking images of Robinson’s body, some showing her either unconscious or already dead. One disturbing photo showed Anderson holding Robinson’s body, which jurors said would stay with them forever.
The Trial and Conviction
Despite overwhelming evidence, Anderson denied all charges, claiming innocence and promising to appeal. But the jury found him guilty in June of:
First-degree intentional homicide
Mutilation of a corpse
Arson of property
The verdict was strongly influenced by the recovered photos and the extent of pre-planning seen in Anderson’s home.
Victim’s Family Speaks Out in Court
At the sentencing hearing, Robinson’s family members gave heart-wrenching statements.Her mother, Sheena Scarbrough, directly confronted Anderson, calling him the “devil” and a “demon.” In her powerful speech, she described her daughter as a loving, hardworking young woman who fed the homeless and worked two jobs. Scarbrough promised to keep Sade’s memory alive and become a voice for other missing women.
Carlos Robinson, Sade’s father, also shared his pain, saying:
“Everything that he did should be done to him. No man should be able to live after what he did.”
Sentencing and Judge’s Words
Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Laura Crivello showed no mercy, stating:
“You haven’t taken any responsibility for your actions. There’s no remorse.”
She sentenced Anderson to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
This case is one of the most disturbing and heartbreaking crimes in Milwaukee’s recent history. Sade Robinson was a young woman with dreams of joining the U.S. Air Force and was close to earning her associate degree in criminal justice. Her life was stolen in the most violent way imaginable. While Anderson’s sentence offers some justice, her family now faces a lifetime of grief. The community mourns with them, remembering Sade not just for how she died, but for the bright life she lived.
