Suspect charged in homicide case following discovery of human remains

MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee man accused of killing and dismembering 19-year-old Sade Robinson allegedly planned the crime approximately one month before her death, according to court documents obtained by local media citing a confidential informant.

Maxwell Anderson, 33, faces charges of first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse, and arson of property other than a building in connection with Robinson's death. He pleaded not guilty to all charges in April and is scheduled to stand trial later this year.

The court filings, reviewed by Fox 6 News, indicate that police met with an informant on April 15, nearly two weeks after Robinson's leg was discovered in Warnimont Park in Cudahy, Wisconsin.

According to the documents, the informant told police they visited Anderson's home on March 5. During this visit, Anderson reportedly showed the informant his basement, which had a plastic tarp covering a sanitation sink, ceiling, floor, and walls.

The informant stated that Anderson disclosed his intention to kill Robinson, describing a plan to use a gun to force her into the basement. Anderson allegedly said he would then shoot Robinson and dismember her body in the tarped room before "disposing Robinson's body throughout the city."

The informant claimed to have seen three saws in the basement, which they believed were the tools Anderson intended to use for dismemberment.

Sade's father, Carlos Robinson, expressed anger upon learning the new information. "After the fact doesn't do me any justice, because it does not bring my daughter back," he said. "Why would this guy feel comfortable to tell you his plans in the first place?"

To date, not all of Sade Robinson's remains have been recovered. Body parts believed to be hers have been found in multiple locations across Milwaukee County and as far away as Waukegan, Illinois.

The court documents also mention another woman who reportedly went on a date with Anderson in February. This woman told authorities she believed Anderson drugged her drink when she visited his home.

Attempts to reach Anderson's attorney for comment were unsuccessful.

The case raises questions about missed opportunities to prevent the crime. "This fuels my rage knowing that somebody else could have stopped this, and they didn't," Carlos Robinson said. "You have to be a very demonic individual to do something like this," he added.

According to her attorney, Vernoa Swanigan, Sade's mother, Sheena Scarbrough, learned of the new court filings through news coverage.

A family fundraiser described Sade Robinson as "a loving daughter, a cherished sister, and a dear friend to many."

The investigation into Sade Robinson's death continues, with law enforcement conducting multiple searches across the region. The first discovery was a human leg found near Lake Michigan in Cudahy, later identified as Robinson's. Additional remains have since been found in three separate Milwaukee locations and along the lakeshore in South Milwaukee and Waukegan.

Maxwell Anderson's trial date has not yet been set. He remains in custody as authorities continue to gather evidence and search for additional remains.