Horrific Date Night: Wisconsin Man Charged With Murder and Mutilation
According to court paperwork, authorities utilized text messages, witnesses, security footage, and phone tracking data to create a case against a man suspected of killing and dismembering a Milwaukee woman with whom he was on a date.
Maxwell Anderson, 33, also of Milwaukee, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilation of a corpse, and arson in the death of Sade Robinson, 19. In a criminal complaint filed this week, the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office stated that the two went out on April 1.
A severed leg discovered the next day has been tentatively recognized as Robinson’s, according to the lawsuit. The right leg, with painted toes, was discovered near a 100-foot bluff by the water’s edge in Warnimont Park.
A woman who identified herself as Robinson’s grandma stated Wednesday afternoon that she was too upset to speak about the teenager. Nobody else from Robinson’s family could be reached for comment.
Anderson remains in the Milwaukee County Jail instead of $5 million bail, according to jail and court records. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday.
Anderson’s attorney could not be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon. His relatives were also unable to be reached.
‘The Toes of the Feet Wore Pink Nail Paint.’
According to the lawsuit, someone discovered the leg at 5:30 p.m. on April 2.
“The leg was cut just below the hip socket and looked to have been sawn off. Pink nail polish was applied to the toes of the feet. “The leg did not appear to be decomposing,” the complaint states.
One of Robinson’s pals went to Milwaukee police that evening to report that Robinson was not answering the phone and did not show up for work. According to the lawsuit, Robinson’s most recent known activity was a Snapchat post from the night before about being at a pub.
According to the complaint, the city’s fire department discovered Robinson’s 2020 Honda Civic with severe inside damage caused by a fire on the morning of April 2.
Four days later, on April 6, Milwaukee police recovered a human foot near train tracks and human flesh in the same location where the automobile had been discovered. The foot and right leg discovered days ago appeared to belong to the same individual due to skin tone, size, and “having matching pink nail polish,” according to the complaint.
Yes, I Enjoy Seafood
Before Anderson’s arrest, investigators focused on forensic data. The evidence included text conversations sent by Robinson and Anderson on April 1.
Investigators used the texts, as well as tracking data from Robinson’s phone, to cobble together a timeline of her dying hours. In text chats, Robinson and Anderson discussed meeting at a seafood restaurant where Anderson formerly worked. Robinson said, “Yes, I love seafood,” according to the complaint.
According to officials, video footage from the restaurant showed the couple dining and talking for almost an hour before moving to a bar. According to the lawsuit, video from the bar shows Robinson departing her car while Anderson exits on the passenger side.
They stayed in the pub until around 9:20 p.m., when data from Robinson’s phone showed she was close to Anderson’s home, according to the lawsuit. Her phone stayed in the area until around 12:45 a.m., according to officials.
Investigators put a location-sharing app on the victim’s phone to trace its movements for four hours until the battery died. Robinson’s phone appeared to be at the area where the severed limb was discovered between 3 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. The complaint states that the date is April 2.
Videos show a burning automobile and bloody bedding.
In addition to witnesses, text messages, and phone tracking data, detectives gathered more video. According to the complaint, video from the location near where the severed leg was recovered shows a “human figure” descending the bluff toward the shore shortly after 3 a.m.
Hours later, at 7:30 a.m., video from a bus and a convenience shop showed a man walking away from a flaming vehicle, according to officials. According to the complaint, a witness strolling by the scene reported seeing a man come out of Robinson’s car from the driver’s side and drop a lighted lighter inside.
Anderson was allegedly observed shortly after boarding another bus bound for his house, according to the lawsuit. According to officials, the passenger on the second bus was dressed identically and carrying the same rucksack as the man spotted walking away from the automobile fire.
Anderson was nabbed during a traffic stop on April 4th. According to the complaint, a search of his car revealed a hooded cloak similar to the one he wore on the bus.
Officials said they gathered evidence during a search of Anderson’s residence.
“[B]lood was found on the mattress in one of the bedrooms and on the walls leading to the basement. Several gasoline containers were discovered in the garage/storage area,” the lawsuit states. Milwaukee County Sheriff Denita Ball congratulated her investigators and Milwaukee police in a statement for their efforts in the investigation.
“Despite little rest and a lot of strain, they’ve remained focused and unrelenting 24 hours a day. Their work to methodically develop this case with a variety of additional partners to discover and connect evidence will go a long way toward bringing justice and, perhaps, peace to Sade Robinson’s family and loved ones.”
According to the criminal complaint, if Anderson is convicted of homicide, he could face life imprisonment.