Maxwell Anderson, the suspect charged in the killing and dismemberment of a 19-year-old Milwaukee woman, has pleaded not guilty to her murder. Anderson, 33, made a brief court appearance in Wisconsin on Monday to enter his plea and waived his right to a preliminary hearing.
Prosecutors claim that on April 1, Anderson met Sade Robinson for drinks at the Twisted Fisherman, a seafood restaurant in Milwaukee where he previously worked. Robinson, who told her friends she was excited about a first date, sent a Snapchat message from a nearby bar later that evening. The following day, police discovered a severed leg at Warnimont Park, and friends traced Robinson’s last known location to the same area in the early hours of April 2.
During the court hearing, Anderson appeared in person, dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit. He spoke briefly to acknowledge that he was waiving his right to a full preliminary hearing. His lawyer entered the not-guilty plea on his behalf and also requested a different judge to oversee the trial, which was granted.
Anderson was arrested on April 4 and charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse, and arson in connection with Robinson’s death. Authorities found bloodstains in his apartment, but recent tests indicate it did not belong to Robinson, according to Assistant District Attorney Ian Vance-Curzan.
In response to questions about the identity of the blood, Vance-Curzan stated, “The preliminary DNA analysis supports the conclusion that there is no support for inclusion of Robinson’s DNA in the blood or swabs that have been tested. In some of those, her DNA has been excluded.” He did not specify whose blood it was.
Milwaukee County Sheriff Denita Ball mentioned that investigators currently “don’t believe there are any other victims out there.” In addition to the severed leg, other human remains were found on April 5 and 6, including a foot near where Robinson’s burned car was discovered.
An eyewitness reportedly saw a white male leave Robinson’s car and light a fire inside it on April 2. Authorities searched the scene and found a black puffer coat, light blue ripped jeans, and white shoes, which matched what Robinson was wearing on the night she was killed.
On Thursday, the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office reported that a torso and an arm were found along a remote beach in South Milwaukee. The remains have not yet been formally identified but are believed to be Robinson’s.
Following his arrest, Anderson’s father, Steven Anderson, released a statement expressing his condolences to Robinson’s family. The statement, issued through the law firm representing Maxwell Anderson, read: “On behalf of myself and my family, I would like to express our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Sade Robinson. We are shocked and devastated by her senseless death.”
Maxwell Anderson is being held on a $5 million bond for the charges related to Robinson’s death. If convicted, the homicide charge alone could result in life imprisonment. The investigation into Robinson’s murder is ongoing.
