Sade Robinson’s Heartbreaking Final Hours Revealed in Shocking Trial of Accused Killer Maxwell Anderson: Five Days of Harrowing Testimony, Graphic Evidence, and Emotional Testimonies Rock Wisconsin Courtroom

MILWAUKEE, WI — The first week of the murder trial of 34-year-old Maxwell Anderson, accused in the killing and gruesome dismemberment of 19-year-old Sade Robinson, has been filled with wrenching testimony, harrowing details, and disturbing evidence that has shaken courtroom observers and devastated a family still searching for healing. What began as a first date in early April 2024 spiraled into one of Wisconsin’s most horrifying criminal cases in recent memory.

Sade Robinson, a young woman with dreams, friends, a future, and a bright personality, vanished shortly after spending an evening out with Anderson. Now, five days into the trial, prosecutors are meticulously laying out the chilling timeline of how her life was brutally cut short — piece by piece.

DAY 1 IN COURT: From a First Date to a Frightening Discovery

On the first day of trial, prosecutors described how Sade Robinson met Maxwell Anderson on a dating app and agreed to meet him in person. April 1, 2024, would be their first — and tragically, last — date. Messages recovered from her phone show she shared her plans with friends and even texted her location out of caution, something loved ones say she always did to stay safe.

According to testimony and location data, Sade was last known to be at Anderson’s residence in Milwaukee around the early hours of April 2. She never returned home.

The prosecution opened with chilling testimony from Osyrus Terrell, a Milwaukee resident who stumbled across what appeared to be a human leg while walking near a lakeside park. He initially believed it was a mannequin — a common misperception in similar cases — until a closer look revealed a horrifying truth. His 911 call was played in court, leaving many visibly shaken.

Sade’s friends and coworkers also testified about their growing panic when she didn’t show up to work. One colleague described her as “punctual and passionate,” adding that Sade had never missed a shift without notice.

DAY 2 IN COURT: A Timeline Begins to Form

The second day of testimony helped build a clearer timeline of Sade’s last known movements. Evelyn Geurts, a coworker, and Alana Fisher, one of her closest friends, both testified about Sade’s routine safety habits. They confirmed she used location-sharing apps to let loved ones track her movements, particularly when meeting someone new.

Prosecutors presented digital records confirming Sade’s phone was last active around 4:35 a.m. on April 2 at Warnimont Park, a secluded lakeside area. Hours later, her severed leg would be found near that same park.

Surveillance footage from that morning showed Sade’s Honda Civic engulfed in flames in a different part of Milwaukee. Just minutes before firefighters arrived, a figure was caught on camera walking away from the scene carrying a backpack. Investigators later testified that the car fire was started using a petroleum-based accelerant, likely to destroy evidence.

The image of her car — once a symbol of her independence — burning in the darkness only underscored the brutality of what had occurred. The courtroom remained silent as the footage was played.

DAY 3 IN COURT: A Trail of Dismemberment

On the third day, investigators gave jurors a grim outline of just how far-reaching the crime scene had become. Human remains believed to be Sade’s were found across several locations, including near train tracks, lakeside parks, and even a beach. The dismemberment of her body had not only been methodical — it had been deliberately dispersed.

Sade’s family had helped identify some of her belongings during the investigation. Her loved ones located a blanket printed with her photograph near one of the discovery sites. It had been part of a graduation gift, and her mother confirmed that Sade cherished it.

The medical examiner’s office confirmed that multiple body parts, including a torso and an arm, had been recovered and matched via DNA. Each discovery only deepened the grief of a family forced to endure the unthinkable — not just the loss of their daughter, but the dismemberment of her body for reasons still unclear.

Surveillance footage and bus route data placed Maxwell Anderson near several of the locations where remains were later discovered. The prosecution argued that this suggested a calculated attempt to hide evidence and slow down the investigation.

DAY 4 IN COURT: Evidence Behind Closed Doors

Court proceedings on the fourth day focused on what authorities uncovered inside Anderson’s home — and what his neighbors may have heard.

A tenant who lived on the property testified to hearing strange thumping sounds in the early hours of April 2, coinciding with the time prosecutors believe Sade was killed and dismembered. The noises were described as “abrupt, muffled, and rhythmic,” coming from the unit Anderson rented in the basement.

When authorities later executed a search warrant at Anderson’s home, they made several shocking discoveries: multiple tools consistent with dismemberment, bloody clothing, and more than 50 knives stored in a disorganized but deliberate fashion. Detectives found a circular saw, a hatchet, and plastic sheeting stained with what was confirmed to be human blood.

The medical examiner delivered testimony that caused audible gasps in the gallery: there were no signs of life at the time of dismemberment, indicating that Sade was killed first before being mutilated. While the examiner could not determine the exact cause of death due to the condition of the remains, they confirmed there was no evidence of defensive wounds on the discovered parts — further suggesting she may have been incapacitated or already dead.

DAY 5 IN COURT: A Date Turns Fatal

Friday’s proceedings centered on the hours leading up to Sade’s disappearance. Surveillance footage from two bars showed Anderson and Sade together on their date. Witnesses recalled them laughing, drinking, and leaving the venue together. Sade was last seen alive leaving a downtown bar in Anderson’s company.

Her vehicle was later traced to Anderson’s residence, and cell phone records show both of their phones in close proximity shortly after.

Investigators revealed that they recovered bloody gloves, charred personal items, and clothing from various outdoor dump sites — some of which had traces of DNA from both Sade and Anderson. A sweatshirt matching what Anderson wore in the bar footage was found during a second search of his home, bearing what appeared to be bloodstains.

As evidence was presented, Sade’s family sat in stoic silence, her mother often clutching a framed photo of her daughter. Each detail — each timestamp, each fragment of clothing — added to a chilling picture of how quickly a promising life was stolen.

A Life Remembered

While the courtroom focused on evidence and forensics, outside the courthouse, the community continued to rally around Sade’s loved ones. Vigils were held in her honor, many featuring her favorite songs, messages of hope, and tearful recollections of her vibrant personality.

Sade Robinson was more than a name in court documents. She was a daughter, a student, a friend — someone who loved to dance, dreamed of opening a business, and often put others before herself. Her family described her as “a light,” saying her absence has left a permanent darkness in their lives.

One friend, speaking outside the courthouse, said, “Sade always checked on us. Even if she was tired or busy, she made time. The least we can do now is show up for her, every single day of this trial.”

The Road Ahead

Maxwell Anderson has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree intentional homicide, mutilation of a corpse, and arson. If convicted, he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The trial is expected to continue into the following weeks, with over 50 witnesses expected to testify, including forensic experts, digital analysts, friends, and possibly Anderson himself.

The case has gripped the region and sparked broader conversations about dating safety, violence against women, and the emotional weight of high-profile trials on grieving families.

As the proceedings continue, one fact remains painfully clear: Sade Robinson deserved so much more. Her life was full of potential, her heart full of love, and her story, though tragic, now stands as a call for justice.