Sade Robinson memorial at Warnimont Park up for consideration
CUDAHY, Wis. - The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors is considering a Warnimont Park memorial to honor Sade Robinson, the woman killed and dismembered last April.
What we know
A severed leg, later identified as Robinson's, was found at Warninmont Park in Cudahy. The resolution asks for $7,000 in county funds to build the memorial. It would include a tree, bench and plaque.
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What they're saying
Robinson's homicide garnered national attention as searchs crews for her remains. County Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez said he wants to pay tribute to Robinson's life and created the idea of a memorial in conjunction with Robinson's mother.
"It’s not just for her, but also remembering victims of gendered violence," he said. "She’s very happy that people want to remember her daughter specifically."
Warnimont Park
Not everyone is in favor of the idea.
"We have to be stewards of taxpayer dollars. We have to be stewards of our parks," said County Supervisor Steve Taylor.
Taylor said using money from the county's $5 million contingency fund is not in the best interest of taxpayers, even if it might seem like a drop in the bucket.
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"I’m going to try to take emotions out of an emotional topic and look at what we should be doing. Should we be spending the money? What is the precedent (for) doing this?" said Taylor.
"As a county, we need to be able to honor victims and people who have passed under these kinds of conditions," Martinez said.
What's next
The resolution goes in front of the parks committee at the end of the month. It goes in front of the full board in February. If it passes, the memorial could go up as early as this spring.
The backstory
Maxwell Anderson is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse and arson of property other than a building. He is accused of killing Robinson after a date – and then dismembering her before dumping her body parts across Milwaukee County. One of her arms was later found on an Illinois beach.
Anderson had planned to kill Robinson weeks before her death, according to a statement from a "confidential informant" noted in court filings FOX6 News obtained. A search warrant also revealed prosecutors believe Anderson tried to cover up Robinson's death with a text message.
In December, Anderson's trial was pushed back to May 2025.
Human leg found at Warnimont Park, Cudahy (April 2024)
Official statements
Milwaukee County Parks Foundation:
"The Milwaukee Parks Foundation supports the proposed memorial for Sade Robinson at Warnimont Park. We are collaborating closely with Milwaukee County Parks, the Park People of Milwaukee County, Milwaukee Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression, and Sade Robinson’s family to design a lasting tribute that honors her life. We are committed to ensuring that this memorial serves as a place for reflection and healing."
Milwaukee County Parks Statement:
"Parks will continue to work with the Milwaukee Parks Foundation, the Park People, and Sade Robinson's family to create a respectful and healing memorial in the future. It is best to respect the family's privacy at this time. The discussions regarding this memorial are still in the preliminary stages, specific details have not yet been determined. The Milwaukee Parks Foundation will be providing a statement."