The quiet tranquility of Warnimont Park in Cudahy, Wisconsin, was shattered on April 2nd when a severed leg was discovered near a golf course along the shores of Lake Michigan. The gruesome find, bearing traces of pink nail polish and saw marks, immediately set off alarm bells, launching a frantic search for more body parts and a race against time to find the victim and bring the perpetrator to justice.
A park ranger's vehicle is parked on a paved path.
The discovery of the leg, showing signs of sharp force trauma and intentional dismemberment, painted a horrifying picture of foul play. Experienced detectives, drawing upon their knowledge of the area and investigative expertise, immediately began to piece together the puzzle. They meticulously canvassed the park, seeking any clue that could lead them to the victim and uncover the events leading up to this tragic discovery.
A close-up of a map.
Surveillance footage from nearby Cudahy High School provided a crucial lead, capturing a vehicle approaching the drop-off point in the early hours of April 2nd. This discovery coincided with a report from the Cudahy Water Department of a vehicle ramming their gate. Detectives collected debris from the scene, later identified as belonging to a Honda Civic, adding another piece to the puzzle.
As investigators meticulously followed every lead, a missing person report filed on the evening of April 2nd provided a possible connection to the case. A young woman named Shaday Robinson, employed at a local Milwaukee restaurant, failed to appear for her shift. Her concerned friends, utilizing the location-sharing app Life360, traced her last known location to Warnimont Park, adding a chilling coincidence to the unfolding investigation.
A screenshot of a phone with a map on the screen.
The investigation intensified as detectives delved into Shaday’s text messages. Her last conversation, with a number later identified as belonging to Maxwell Anderson, revealed plans for a first date at Twisted Fisherman, a Milwaukee restaurant where Anderson previously worked. Surveillance footage from the restaurant confirmed their meeting, capturing their arrival, interactions, and eventual departure.
Analyzing Shaday’s phone records and location data, detectives tracked her movements after leaving Twisted Fisherman. Her phone traveled to Duke’s on Water, aligning with her last Snapchat location, and then to a residential area in southwest Milwaukee, pinpointing the exact location of Maxwell Anderson’s home. Hours later, the phone pinged in Warnimont Park, placing it at the scene where the severed leg was discovered.
A screenshot of a phone with a text message conversation displayed.
Acting on this mounting evidence, investigators apprehended Maxwell Anderson during a traffic stop on April 4th. A subsequent search warrant executed at his residence yielded further incriminating evidence. Bloodstains were found on bedding and walls leading to the basement, while several gasoline containers were discovered in the garage.
Two days later, a human foot and flesh, exhibiting consistent skin tone, size, and matching pink nail polish, were discovered in northwest Milwaukee. This chilling discovery placed the remains within close proximity to the location where Shaday’s burned-out Honda Civic was found days earlier. Bus surveillance footage captured Maxwell Anderson in the vicinity of the burning vehicle shortly after it was reported, wearing attire matching the description of the individual fleeing the scene.
A close-up of a sign that reads "Milwaukee County Transit System".
On April 12th, after days of meticulous investigation, Maxwell Anderson was formally charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse, and arson. The weight of the evidence – DNA matching the victim, phone records, location data, surveillance footage, and physical evidence collected from his residence – painted a damning picture of Anderson’s alleged involvement in Shaday Robinson’s disappearance and murder.
As the case unfolds, investigators continue to seek answers and build a comprehensive narrative of the events leading to this horrific crime. The investigation remains active, fueled by a commitment to justice for Shaday Robinson and a determination to unravel the full extent of Maxwell Anderson’s alleged actions. The upcoming preliminary hearing promises to shed more light on this gruesome case, potentially revealing further details and evidence as the legal process moves forward.
