Authorities say digital tracking technology, Life360, played a critical role in the investigation into the killing of 19-year-old college student Sade Robinson, who disappeared after a first date in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in April 2024.
Robinson was last seen on April 1 of 2024 after meeting Maxwell Anderson, 33, for what investigators described as their first outing. The following morning, police discovered the charred remains of her vehicle behind an abandoned building, raising immediate suspicions of foul play.
According to investigators, a breakthrough came through data from the Life360 location-sharing app installed on Robinson’s phone, which allowed detectives to reconstruct her movements on the night she vanished.
Key Clues From Vehicle and Digital Evidence
Lead Detective Joe Donner of the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office said forensic examination of Robinson’s burned vehicle provided early indications that she had not been the last person driving it.
Detectives compared the seat position in the damaged car with an identical model and found that someone of Robinson’s height would not have been able to reach the pedals.
Investigators concluded the last driver was likely much taller, consistent with Anderson, who stands approximately six feet one inch tall.
Phone Data Helped Trace Final Route
Authorities then turned to Robinson’s phone records and location history. Unlike real-time tracking services, the Life360 platform provided detailed historical movement data, helping investigators map her route after the date.
The data indicated Robinson’s phone later traveled to an area near Lake Michigan.
Detectives reviewing surveillance footage from the location identified a figure appearing to drag an object toward the shoreline. Investigators said they believe the individual seen in the footage was Anderson.
Case Highlighted in National Coverage
The investigation and evidence trail were detailed in a national television report aired on CBS Mornings, which outlined how digital tracking, forensic analysis, and surveillance video combined to help authorities piece together the events surrounding Robinson’s disappearance.
Officials say the case underscores the growing importance of digital evidence in modern criminal investigations.
