Milwaukee Man Sentenced to Life for Murder and Dismemberment of 19-Year-Old Sade Robinson
MILWAUKEE, Wis. — On Friday, August 1, 2025, 34‑year‑old Maxwell Anderson received a life sentence without the possibility of parole or extended supervision for the brutal murder and dismemberment of 19‑year‑old college student Sade Carleena Robinson, committed during what was supposed to be their first date.
🚨 Timeline & Charges
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In June 2025, a jury found Anderson guilty on four counts: first‑degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse, arson, and hiding a corpse. One charge was later dismissed due to redundancy with the mutilation count .
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The victim, Sade Robinson, was reported missing after disappearing following a first date with Anderson on April 1, 2024, in Milwaukee. Surveillance footage and cell phone data tracked their time together that evening and showed Robinson leaving Anderson’s apartment in the early hours .
🔪 Horrific Details of the Crime
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Evidence presented at trial described Sade as incapacitated when Anderson allegedly assaulted her in his apartment. Investigators uncovered disturbing images from Anderson’s phone showing her unconscious position and him groping her .
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After killing her, Anderson dismembered her body at a park near Lake Michigan and scattered parts across Milwaukee County. The victim’s vehicle was later found burned — a suspected attempt to destroy evidence .
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Body parts, including a leg, torso, arms, and foot, were discovered in various locations. Her head remains missing.
⚖️ Sentencing & Courtroom Reactions
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Circuit Judge Laura Crivello imposed the maximum sentence: life imprisonment without parole. She described the crimes as “unconscionable” and likened them to events out of a horror story. Anderson’s lack of remorse and denial of responsibility influenced her decision .
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During the sentencing hearing, Sade’s mother emotionally called Anderson a “demon,” demanding justice and insisting he reveal the location of her daughter’s missing remains. Her father vowed Anderson should never be allowed to live.
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Anderson spoke briefly, expressing condolences but maintained his innocence and announced plans to appeal the conviction.
🧠 Key Legal Context
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First-degree intentional homicide in Wisconsin mandates a life sentence. Dismemberment carries additional separate penalties, and the judge dismissed the hiding-a-corpse charge due to legal overlap with mutilation.
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Prosecutors also charged Anderson with arson for burning Robinson’s vehicle after the murder.
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A restitution hearing is scheduled for September 4, 2025, to address financial compensation to the victim’s family .
💔 Victim & Community Impact
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Sade Carleena Robinson, born May 10, 2004, was a criminal justice student at Milwaukee Area Technical College, working two jobs to support her education. She was posthumously awarded her associate degree in May 2025 .
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Her death sparked widespread grief across Milwaukee. A pink-themed memorial—Sade’s favorite color—was arranged outside the restaurant where she worked, and community groups held tributes at Anderson’s residence.
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The case intensified calls in Wisconsin to establish a task force on missing and murdered Black women, led by Sade’s mother and legislators seeking systemic protections .
🧾 Summary at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Victim | Sade Carleena Robinson, 19, college student |
| Perpetrator | Maxwell Anderson, 34, Milwaukee resident |
| Date of Crime | April 1–2, 2024 |
| Conviction | June 6, 2025 – murder, mutilation, arson, hiding a corpse |
| Sentencing | August 1, 2025 – life without parole |
| Remains | Multiple body parts found; head still missing |
| Upcoming Hearing | Restitution hearing on September 4, 2025 |
| Community Response | Memorials, legislative advocacy, widespread grief |
In Closing
This case shook both Milwaukee and the broader community, revealing the worst depths of violence. The conviction and sentencing, while delivering some measure of justice, come at the cost of irreparable loss. Sade Robinson’s bright future was stolen on what should have been an ordinary date, and her fragmented remains and missing head leave lingering trauma for her family.
Maxwell Anderson now faces life imprisonment for his crimes. While Anderson vows to appeal, the verdict stands as a solemn example of accountability for a horrific act.
To Sade and her family: may her memory be honored, and may justice continue to guide all who seek to protect the vulnerable from such horrors.