Family, supporters of Sade Robinson commemorate one year since her death

Yahoo

02-04-2025

One year since Sade Robinson's disappearance and death, her mother and sister stood alongside family and supporters to mark her memory.
Adrianna Reams, Robinson's younger sister, spoke of their relationship. She described the way she and Robinson fought as young siblings do, then grew close as they aged. She watched Robinson take care of herself as she got older, picking up work and still managing to take care of her younger sister, like when she would cook for her despite a hectic work schedule.
"Anyone who knew us knew that she was the person who you wanted to talk to. She could put a smile on anyone's face," Reams said. "Her laugh was iconic for one and unmatchable."
The memorial event was held to mark one year since Robinson was last seen and, the day after, her remains were found at Warnimont Park, the same park where the event, dubbed an angelversary, was held. About 50 people attended to support Robinson's family as they discussed Robinson's memory and advocacy for crime victims and missing Black, brown and indigenous women and girls.
"We want justice for Sade," said Sheena Scarbrough, Robinson's mother. "There are other crime victim families in Milwaukee. There are so many other missing and murdered Black and brown women who have not been found."
Robinson was killed in April 2024, after last being seen on April 1 and reported missing the next day. Over the next weeks, remains believed to be hers were found on the shoreline of Warnimont Park and other parts of Lake Michigan's shores.
Milwaukee County prosecutors have charged 33-year-old Maxwell S. Anderson with first-degree homicide, mutilating a corpse and arson after prosecutors say he killed Robinson and dismembered her body earlier that month. Authorities say Anderson and Robinson went on a date together, before going to his home.
A trial was initially set for early December but was postponed to May.
Scarbrough thanked the community for its support, before remarking on how difficult the wait for justice has been. At times speaking through tears and at others speaking firmly, Scarbrough said she was fighting for justice for her daughter.
"This is not to be tolerated. I'm very upset," Scarbrough said. "I miss you so much baby girl."
After her daughter's death, Scarbrough and supporters started Sade's Voice Foundation, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to supporting missing persons and crime victims, especially for Black, brown and indigenous women. The organization intends to hold self-defense training in the future and Scarbrough urged people to advocate for the issue at the memorial event.
Statistics show Black women and girls make up a disproportionate amount of missing persons cases nationwide. Journal Sentinel reporting from 2016-2022 showed Black women represented 40% of domestic violence homicides.
"This is a pandemic that needs to be addressed," Scarbrough said on Tuesday.
Robinson's mother has previously advocated alongside legislators to create a taskforce meant to gather statistics on how many women and girls currently are missing and data on the number of murder cases.
Robinson's uncle David Scarbough II, who goes by the moniker Lil Dave the Poet, closed the memorial with a poem he wrote about his niece. As he concluded his poem, the crowd released pink balloons into the sky, that were quickly swept away by winds.
"As we release these colors high, may they dance upon the sky. Carrying our hopes and dreams." David Scarbrough recited. "We'll remember you forever more and cherish the love we shared before ... Until we meet again and play our part, we fly these balloons through the pain. Sade Carleene Robinson is her name."
David Clarey is a public safety reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at [e-mail].
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Family, supporters of Sade Robinson commemorate one year since death