Person of interest in severed leg homicide case makes first court appearance
A court commissioner ruled Maxwell Steven Anderson remains in custody for 72 more hours as the state awaits DNA testing. (Credit: FOX 6 Milwaukee)
A Wisconsin man was formally charged with killing and dismembering the missing 19-year-old woman after body parts were discovered across Milwaukee County, officials announced on Friday.
Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman announced in a news conference Friday morning that Maxwell Anderson, 33, of Milwaukee, has been charged with three felonies related to the murder and dismemberment of Sade Robinson.
Per a criminal complaint filed Friday by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office, officials said Anderson intentionally killed Robinson, mutilated her remains, and set fire to her car in an attempt to obscure potential evidence of the killing.
Preliminary DNA testing of partial human remains found in Warnimont Park in Cudahy, Wisconsin, on April 2, determined they belonged to Robinson.
BODY PARTS FOUND SCATTERED ACROSS MILWAUKEE IN 3 SEPARATE INSTANCES WITHIN A WEEK: REPORT
Maxwell Anderson has been named a person of interest, but has not yet been charged with a crime. (Wisconsin DOC/FOX6 Milwaukee)
Officials said subsequent investigation revealed that Robinson had been reported missing, turned up additional human remains in the city of Milwaukee, and led investigators to Anderson, whose phone records and other evidence showed he had communicated with Robinson and gone to dinner with her the evening before the first set of remains were discovered.
"Not all of Robinson's remains have been found," authorities said.
Milwaukee County Sheriff Denita Ball commended the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office Investigative Services Bureau for working round-the-clock to solve this case since first being notified by Cudahy Police on April 2, that partial human remains had been discovered in Warnimont Park.
"I would like to thank our detectives and ISB supervisors, as well as MPD investigators, for their diligent work," Ball said. "With little rest and a great deal of pressure, they have remained focused and relentless, 24 hours a day. Their efforts to carefully build this case with a host of other partners to locate and tie together evidence, will go a long way towards bringing justice and, hopefully, peace to the family and loved ones of Sade Robinson."
HUMAN LEG DISCOVERED IN WISCONSIN PARK, POLICE INVESTIGATING AS HOMICIDE
A person of interest is in custody regarding a severed leg that was initially found in Cudahy, but prosecutors say they need more time reviewing evidence to link him to the crime. (FOX6 Milwaukee)
Officials said less than a week after finding the severed human leg in Warnimont Pakr in Cudahy, other human remains were found at three other scenes in Milwaukee County.
It is not confirmed yet if those discoveries are related to Robinson's case.
Sheriff Ball said, at this point, there's no evidence there are other victims.
"The Milwaukee Police Department is grateful for the efforts of the Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office, and other federal and local law enforcement partners for their tireless efforts to gather facts and evidence to bring charges," Chief Norman added. "Our hearts are with the family and loved ones of Sade Robinson. This is a horrendous tragedy and above all else, I cannot imagine the pain you must be going through. I would like to express my deepest and most sincere sympathy."
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Family of missing 19-year-old Sade Robinson said investigators invited them to Anderson's hearing. However, it's unclear if Anderson is connected to Robinson in any way. (Sade Robinson/Facebook)
One of Anderson’s former coworkers told FOX6 News, when she first saw he was a person of interest, she was shocked. Now, she is questioning every interaction she had with him.
"He would get very drunk at work, and his behavior a little erratic, but nothing – truly nothing – that really sparked a red flag," said Samantha Brenner.
Officials said Anderson was charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse and arson. In a court appearance Friday morning, his bail was set at $5 million.
Meanwhile, community members are searching for the rest of Robinson’s remains and are hoping to bring her family a bit of peace.
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"Justice for Sade" embodies our collective demand for accountability, transparency, and resolution in the case of her disappearance. It signifies our unwavering commitment to seeking truth and advocating for Sade during this difficult time. We believe that every individual deserves to be found and to be heard. We won’t rest until Sade receives the Justice she deserves," Sheena Scarbrough, Robinson's mother wrote in a post.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office and Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office for comment.
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