Shade Carlina Robinson was a young woman full of determination who grew up in MW, United States. During elementary school, she joined the Girl Scouts and actively participated in soccer, but her true passion always lay in the arts.
Over time, she became a talented dancer. Her mother recalled how her face would light up whenever she took the stage. However, her skills went beyond that. Shade also developed a deep interest in rap and explored the world of street dance.
In high school, she expressed her desire to join the United States Air Force. During this period, she attended Riverside High School, where she excelled both academically, earning great grades, and socially, building a solid circle of friends who remained present in her life even after graduation.
After completing high school, Shade began her studies aiming to earn a degree in Criminal Justice while balancing two jobs. She worked hard to achieve independence, renting an apartment on her own.
At the country club where she worked, her colleagues described her as someone with a remarkable, almost magical smile that could light up any room and make everyone feel at ease.
Fatal Encounter
Despite holding two jobs, Shade made sure to reserve time for socializing. On April 1, 2024, at 19 years old, she planned a date. She told some staff members at her building that she was excited about meeting a man named Maxwell Anderson, who was 33 years old.
Shade mentioned that she would spend the night out and seemed very happy to have met someone she believed had potential for a special connection.
Although the exact way they met is uncertain, some sources suggest it was through a dating site, while others indicate they met at a local bar where Maxwell worked.
Shade often visited this bar, known for not checking customers’ IDs. Around 4:15 AM on April 1, she texted Maxwell to finalize the details of their date. He suggested meeting at the Twisted Fisherman restaurant for dinner, a familiar place for him as he had worked there before. Shade agreed, mentioning she was craving seafood that night.
They met at the restaurant about an hour later. Maxwell arrived first and told the bartender he was waiting for a young woman for a first date. He was dressed in a red flannel shirt with a gray hoodie, a black t-shirt, and dark jeans, with his hair tied in a ponytail.
Shortly after, Shade arrived, wearing a black coat, a white t-shirt, and ripped blue jeans. The restaurant cameras recorded the moment, and everything seemed to be going well. The two appeared to be enjoying themselves and engaging in lively conversation.
Around 6:30 PM, they were seen leaving the restaurant and walking to Maxwell’s car. They decided to go to another bar called Ducks and Water. There, they were again captured by security cameras while having a few more drinks.
While at the bar, Shade sent a Snapchat to her friends, marking her last contact with them. Shade and Maxwell left the bar at 9:06 PM. Somehow, he persuaded her to go to his residence.
Shade Disappears
On the following day, April 2, Shade was scheduled to work a shift at the pizzeria where she was employed, but she didn’t show up. Family, friends, and even her boss tried to contact her, but to no avail. Later that night, a close friend, AJ, concerned about Shade’s disappearance, decided to go to the police station and report the situation.
Still on April 2, during the early hours, firefighters were called to respond to a burning vehicle incident involving a 2020 Honda Civic registered under Shade’s name. In the car’s trunk, investigators found a damaged cellphone and clothing identified as those Shade wore on the night of the date.
After the disappearance of Shade Carlina Robinson, a series of sinister events began to reveal the severity of the case. On the same day her vehicle was found burning, the police launched a detailed investigation.
Body Parts
Around 5:30 AM on April 2, a pedestrian discovered a human leg in Warnon Park, near a pumping station. The leg, which appeared to belong to a Black woman, had been cut just below the hip and showed signs of having been recently sawed.
The pink nail polish on the toes indicated she took good care of herself. Later, the medical examiner confirmed that the leg belonged to someone approximately 1.50 meters tall and that the cut was made with a sharp tool.
Meanwhile, security cameras in the park captured footage of a vehicle approaching a service entrance around 3:00 AM, followed by a person walking toward a nearby cliff.
About an hour later, the same person was seen returning to the vehicle and leaving the area. Additionally, fragments of Shade’s Honda Civic were found near a broken gate, reinforcing suspicions that her body had been left in that area.
Days later, on April 6, more human remains were found near a playground close to where Shade’s car had been set on fire. A human foot, matching the previously discovered leg, was found, and investigators used DNA to confirm that the remains belonged to Shade.
Subsequently, additional body parts, including an arm and a torso, were located in remote areas, strengthening the theory that the killer attempted to scatter the remains to hinder identification.
Connection to Maxwell
The investigation led to Maxwell Anderson, with whom Shade had planned a date on the night of April 1. Text messages between the two, obtained from phone records, showed that he was the last person to have contact with Shade.
On April 4, Maxwell was stopped by police while driving near his home. During the stop, officers found a gray hoodie in his car that matched the description of the suspect captured on cameras near the location where Shade’s car was set on fire. Additionally, traces of human blood were discovered on the passenger door speaker.
With a search warrant, the police investigated Maxwell’s house and found incriminating evidence, such as blood on the bedding and walls leading to the basement. Gasoline containers were also found in the garage, suggesting they were used to set Shade’s car on fire.
Maxwell, who already had a history of violent behavior, including convictions for domestic abuse and disorderly conduct, became the prime suspect.
Case Developments
Maxwell was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, corpse mutilation, and arson. Despite the evidence, he pleaded not guilty. During the investigation, a witness who knew Maxwell revealed that he had planned the crime in advance.
In March 2024, Maxwell allegedly confided to this person that he had met a young woman named Shade and planned to kill her. He detailed how he intended to lure her to his home, threaten her with a gun, take her to the basement, and dispose of her body by cutting it up and scattering the parts across the city. The witness also reported seeing three saws in Maxwell’s basement, which he had mentioned as part of his plan.
Another young woman, who had a date with Maxwell in February, reported that after drinking a few beverages, she began to feel dizzy and disoriented, suspecting she had been drugged. Although she escaped unharmed, the incident suggested Maxwell already exhibited a dangerous pattern of behavior.
Current Status of the Case
Maxwell has been in custody since April 2024. His trial was initially scheduled for December 2024 but was postponed to May 2025 at the defense’s request, as they plan to work with a forensic computing specialist to establish an alibi. Maxwell, however, continues to deny any involvement in the crime and refuses to provide details about what happened to Shade.
Shade’s family and friends, devastated by the loss, have organized independent searches to locate the rest of her remains. Additionally, her family filed a civil lawsuit against Maxwell, seeking financial compensation for emotional distress and the sale of his assets. They also alleged that Maxwell’s family attempted to remove critical evidence from the house where Shade was likely killed.
Meanwhile, the community eagerly awaits the trial, hoping for justice for Shade and her loved ones. The case has shocked the region, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of ensuring safety and holding those who commit heinous crimes accountable.
