MILWAUKEE (BN24) — A Wisconsin man was convicted Friday of murdering and dismembering a 19-year-old college student during their first date, an act prosecutors say was inspired by a gruesome episode of a Netflix series.
Maxwell Anderson, 34, was found guilty on all charges including first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse, arson, and hiding a body in connection with the 2023 killing of Sade Robinson. The jury reached its verdict in just over an hour on the ninth day of the trial in Milwaukee County Circuit Court.
Authorities said Robinson and Anderson met at a bar before dining together at the Twisted Fisherman restaurant in Milwaukee. The two later returned to Anderson’s apartment, where he reportedly played an episode of Love, Death & Robots — a Netflix animated series that features graphic content. Prosecutors highlighted the episode “The Drowned Giant,” which depicts the mutilation of a human body on a beach, as disturbingly similar to the way Robinson’s body was later dismembered.
Surveillance footage showed Robinson’s car leaving Anderson’s apartment in the early hours of April 2 and heading toward a beach along Lake Michigan. That same day, a human leg was discovered at Warnimont Park. Forensic analysis later confirmed it belonged to Robinson.
Police said Anderson burned Robinson’s vehicle behind an abandoned building in an effort to destroy evidence, then returned to his apartment by bus. Despite heavy fire damage, investigators recovered a partially intact iPhone and clothing consistent with what Robinson wore the night she vanished.
Robinson was reported missing after failing to show up for her job. Her manager, Justin Romano, described her as outgoing and dependable. “We kind of knew something was up,” Romano told CNN. “We had been calling her all day.”
During the trial, a confidential informant told investigators that Anderson had planned Robinson’s murder weeks in advance. His defense attorney, Tony Cotton, argued there was no proof Anderson intended to kill her and questioned why Anderson would take public transit in clean clothes after allegedly committing the crime.
Jurors rejected the defense, and the case concluded with a swift guilty verdict. Anderson now faces a mandatory life sentence, with sentencing scheduled for August 15.
Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Ian Vance-Curzan expressed sympathy for the victim’s loved ones following the verdict. “While we are satisfied with this verdict, our hearts go out to the family of Sade Robinson,” he said.
Detective JoAnn Donner of the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, who worked extensively on the investigation, acknowledged the emotional toll the case took on law enforcement. “I had a good cry after the verdict,” Donner said. “It does affect us too.”
Robinson’s mother, Sheena Scarbrough, described her daughter in a GoFundMe page as “a loving daughter, a cherished sister, and a dear friend to many.”
