Arm found in Illinois; Sade Robinson's family not happy about picture
MILWAUKEE - The Lake County Coroner's Office confirmed to FOX6 on Friday that a picture of a severed human arm circulating online is the arm that was found along a Waukegan, Illinois beach.
The family of Sade Robinson, the Milwaukee woman killed and dismembered last month, believes the arm is hers – and they are not happy about the picture or its circulation. The coroner's office isn't pleased either.
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On Saturday, May 18, Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor released a statement, saying:
"This week, Waukegan Police received a call that a severed arm had been found along the shores of Lake Michigan in Waukegan. The Waukegan Police Department proactively communicated with Milwaukee County law enforcement since the moment of this discovery, as they were aware of the Sade Robinson homicide in Wisconsin. The remains are currently in possession of the Lake County Coroner’s Office, which is conducting DNA testing to confirm the identity of the victim. The City of Waukegan does not comment on active criminal investigations, especially in cases where the City is not the lead agency. This policy is intended to preserve the investigation’s integrity and respect the privacy of victims and their families. That is why no public statements were made until Alderman Keith Turner posted a graphic photo of the remains on his Facebook account."
"Alderman Keith Turner at no time contacted the Waukegan Police command staff or anyone within Waukegan City government to ask about this incident before posting the photo of the remains on Facebook. The City did not provide Ald. Turner with the photograph, and he was never given permission to post the photo on his Facebook page. Individual Aldermen are not authorized to speak on behalf of the City, much less for the Police Department. On behalf of the City of Waukegan, I find the posting of an image of this type to be morally disgusting, socially irresponsible, and extremely cruel to the victim’s family. I hope all Waukeganites join me in prayer for the victim of this horrific crime and for the victim’s family." - Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor
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Robinson's family told FOX6 that the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office notified them earlier this week about the arm's discovery. MCSO said it cannot confirm who the arm belongs to until DNA results are returned.
Investigators told FOX6 the arm was found on Saturday night. A Waukegan police officer said the beach where the arm washed up is typically busy, and it's not clear exactly where along the lakefront it was found. An extensive search of the area in the days since did not uncover anything else, police said.
Robinson's family has continued to search for her remains, not all of which have been found.
Location of severed arm found in Waukegan, Illinois
Most recently, remains "believed to be" Robinson's were found along the Lake Michigan shore in South Milwaukee on April 18. Searches in and around Milwaukee County have yielded no discoveries since then. The first body part found was a human leg, later determined to be Robinson's, near the lake in Cudahy. Additional remains turned up in three separate Milwaukee locations as well.
Maxwell, 33, Anderson is accused of killing and dismembering Robinson after a first date. Prosecutors said GPS technology placed Robinson at Anderson’s home near 39th and Oklahoma on the night she disappeared.
Anderson is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse and arson of property other than a building. All three charges are felonies and carry a combined maximum penalty of life imprisonment.