Maxwell Anderson Sentenced to Life Without Parole for the Homicide of Sade Robinson
Milwaukee, WI – In a courtroom filled with somber faces and emotional testimonies, justice was delivered on Friday, August 1, 2025, as 34-year-old Maxwell Anderson was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the heinous murder of 19-year-old Sade Robinson. The sentencing marks the conclusion of a harrowing case that has shaken the Milwaukee community and reverberated throughout Wisconsin.
Anderson was convicted in June of intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse, and multiple counts of obstructing justice, following a chilling trial that revealed the brutal nature of his crimes. The jury deliberated for less than two days before finding him guilty on all charges. Prosecutors argued that Anderson had meticulously planned the killing and carried it out with deliberate cruelty.
Sade Robinson, a college student with dreams of becoming a social worker, vanished after going on what was believed to be her first date with Anderson in early April. What began as an ordinary outing quickly descended into horror. After being reported missing, a painstaking investigation by local law enforcement uncovered evidence that Robinson had been murdered and her remains dismembered and scattered across multiple locations in southeastern Wisconsin.
Throughout the trial, jurors were presented with harrowing details—including surveillance footage, forensic evidence, and chilling testimony from investigators—that painted a grim picture of the last hours of Sade’s life. The prosecution maintained that Anderson lured her under false pretenses before committing the brutal act, showing no remorse or regard for her life.
At Friday’s sentencing, the courtroom was heavy with emotion as Sade’s family, friends, and supporters delivered heartfelt victim impact statements. Through tears and trembling voices, they painted a portrait of a vibrant, intelligent, and compassionate young woman whose life was just beginning.
“Sade was our light, our joy, our hope for the future,” her mother, Clarissa Robinson, said in a powerful statement. “She had a smile that lit up the room and a heart full of dreams. And you took her from us in the most unimaginable way. We will never forgive you—but we will never forget her.”
Judge Evelyn Marks, who presided over the case, called the crime “calculated and inhumane” and said Anderson posed “an enduring threat to public safety.” In delivering the sentence of life imprisonment without parole, she emphasized that no amount of punishment could ever undo the pain caused by his actions—but that the court would ensure Anderson would never again harm another innocent life.
“The violence you committed was not only against Sade, but against the very soul of this community,” Judge Marks said. “You will spend the rest of your life behind bars, with no hope of release, as a reminder of the evil you inflicted.”
Anderson declined to speak in court. His defense attorneys had asked for the possibility of parole, citing mental health concerns and a troubled background. However, the judge and prosecutors both rejected those arguments, stating that the nature of the crime warranted the harshest penalty under Wisconsin law.
Outside the courthouse, supporters of the Robinson family gathered in silent solidarity, many wearing shirts bearing Sade’s image and the words “Justice for Sade.” The sentencing, while bringing some closure, also reignited conversations around dating violence, public safety, and the vulnerability of young women navigating today’s world.
Community leaders and advocates used the moment to call for more awareness and preventative efforts to combat intimate partner violence and online predatory behavior.
“Sade’s death is a reminder of how quickly things can go wrong,” said Dr. Angela Matthews, director of the Milwaukee Women’s Support Center. “We must do more as a community to protect our young people and ensure their safety. No one should have to suffer what Sade and her family endured.”
Sade Robinson’s memory now lives on through the voices of those committed to turning their pain into purpose. Her family has announced the launch of the Sade Robinson Foundation, aimed at supporting young women through mentorship, educational programs, and violence prevention initiatives.
Though the trial is over and the sentence has been handed down, the echoes of this tragedy will not soon fade from Milwaukee’s collective memory. As one chapter ends, another begins—one of healing, remembrance, and a pursuit of change in honor of a life that ended far too soon.