As jury selection begins this week in the high-profile murder trial of 33-year-old Maxwell Anderson—accused of the brutal killing and dismemberment of 19-year-old Sade Robinson—the young Black woman’s family is still pleading for answers: Where are the rest of her remains?
Robinson vanished on April 1, 2024, after going on a first date with Anderson. The following day, concerned coworkers reported her missing when she didn’t show up for work. That same day, police discovered her scorched vehicle abandoned in an alley.
Hours later, a severed human leg washed ashore at a Lake Michigan beach park—later confirmed to be Sade’s.
A Shocking Discovery and a Grisly Allegation
Anderson, who was initially named a person of interest, was soon arrested and charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse, and arson. He is currently being held on a $5 million bond. According to court documents, a confidential informant revealed that Anderson had shared a disturbing, premeditated plan to lure Robinson into his basement, kill her, and then dismember her body.
Evidence presented so far includes surveillance footage showing movements from Robinson’s car to the beach in the early hours of April 2, phone records, and witness testimony. Though blood was discovered at Anderson’s residence, forensic testing showed it was not Robinson’s.
The family’s pain is compounded by the fact that not all of her remains have been recovered.
“We still don’t have my baby’s crown in her head. This is so f—ed up,” said her grieving mother, Sheena Scarbrough, in an emotional interview with FOX6 Milwaukee. Her father, Carlos Robinson, admitted he remains in denial: “I feel like I might lose the last piece of my sanity if I accept it.”
Seeking Justice Beyond the Criminal Trial
The Robinson family has filed two civil lawsuits—one against Anderson, and another against two Milwaukee bars that allegedly served alcohol to Sade, who was underage. The suit argues that the alcohol impaired her ability to protect herself, leaving her vulnerable to Anderson’s attack.
Meanwhile, Scarbrough is demanding accountability beyond the criminal system. She denounced a Waukegan city official who posted a photo of her daughter’s severed arm online.
“Anyone, any entity, that was a part of harming or hurting my baby throughout this process, all individuals are gonna be held accountable,” she said.
Turning Pain Into Purpose
Despite the overwhelming grief, Robinson’s mother has transformed her pain into action. She launched The Sade Voice Foundation, which funds self-defense scholarships for young women.
The community also rallied behind her efforts to build a memorial at the beach where Sade’s leg was found. After county officials pulled public funding amid backlash—including racist messages—the community crowdfunded thousands to ensure the memorial would still be built.
Trial Details
Jury selection for Anderson’s trial begins May 27, 2025, and the court has listed more than 250 potential witnesses, including police officers, forensic scientists, family members, and a Milwaukee County Transit System employee. The trial is expected to last up to two weeks.
Still, for the Robinson family, justice will remain incomplete until their daughter’s body is returned in full.
“For me, it’s impossible for our justice system to justify this,” said Carlos Robinson. “If you do something like this, you deserve the same punishment, I feel.”
