Sade Carleena Robinson, a 19-year-old college student from Wisconsin, was reported missing by a friend on April 2 after not returning calls or showing up to work. Her mother, Sheena Scarbrough, last spoke to her daughter on Easter Sunday before she went on a first date with a man named Maxwell Anderson at a bar in Milwaukee. Robinson’s disappearance sparked an investigation, which led to the discovery of her severed leg and later more body parts in different locations.
Maxwell Anderson was arrested on suspicion of killing Robinson and mutilating her body after law enforcement officers found evidence of blood in his home. Robinson’s mother, Scarbrough, spoke out in an interview about her daughter’s tragic death, comparing the situation to that of infamous serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. She called for justice and advocated for other missing young women of color to be held accountable for their crimes.
Statistics from Columbia University show that Black women in the U.S. are six times more likely to be murdered than their white peers. Wisconsin specifically had a significant disparity in homicide rates in 2019-2020, where Black women were 20 times more likely to be murdered than white women. Despite these alarming numbers, Scarbrough remains strong in her determination to seek justice for her daughter and for other missing young Black and brown women in Milwaukee.
As authorities continued their search for more of Robinson’s body parts, they found a torso and arm near Lake Michigan that were believed to belong to her. The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office announced the discovery of these additional remains on Thursday. Scarbrough expressed her determination to hold the responsible parties accountable and to be a voice for the community, ensuring that justice is served for her daughter and other missing individuals.
The brutal killing of Sade Robinson has shaken her family and the community, leading to heightened awareness of the dangers young women of color face in society. Scarbrough’s resilience and advocacy for justice have brought attention to the issue of violence against Black and brown women and the need for systemic changes to protect and support vulnerable populations. The ongoing investigation into Robinson’s murder serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing these disparities and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.
