Authorities testing DNA of severed arm found in Illinois, Sade Robinson family notified
Authorities are testing DNA on a severed arm that was found on Illinois shoreline and led authorities to notify the family of Sade Robinson, who was murdered in early April.
Waukegan, Illinois authorities discovered the limb on the evening of May 11 and sent DNA samples to what they described as a neighboring state’s department’s crime laboratory. Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office said on Thursday they would not be able to identify whose body the arm belongs to until DNA results are returned.
The Milwaukee sheriff’s office confirmed that Waukegan authorities reached out to them regarding the limb.
Robinson, 19, was killed and dismembered in early April following a first date with 33-year-old Maxwell Anderson, according to prosecutors. Anderson pleaded not guilty to the charges and the next hearing is scheduled for July 12.
“We are aware of the case in Milwaukee, however until DNA evidence comes back we cannot say the arm belongs to their victim of that horrible crime that occurred there,” a Waukegan Police Department spokesperson said in an email.
Waukegan is in Lake County, Illinois, about an hour south of Milwaukee and its eastern border touches Lake Michigan. The city’s police have no cases that correlate with missing body parts, the spokesperson said.
The department is waiting on DNA testing results to determine whether they need to conduct an independent investigation.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office said in a media release that a walker discovered the arm on May 11 at the Waukegan Municipal Beach in the evening. In the release, the office said it was a right arm and believed to be from a woman.
The coroner’s office said a forensic anthropologist will now examine it and likely confirm the victim’s gender and age range.
“The coroner’s office is working to identify the victim currently. The coroner’s office is working closely with a police department in a neighboring state on an on-going investigation in that jurisdiction,” the coroner release said.
On Thursday, the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office said they notified Robinson’s family after Waukegan authorities reached out to them.
The May 11 limb discovery follows other, confirmed human remains of Robinson’s that have been found in the Milwaukee County area. The first, a leg, was discovered at Warnimont Park in Cudahy on April 2. More body parts believed to be Robinson’s have been discovered in the days after.
Robinson's family has not held a proper funeral, as all of her body has not been discovered. A memorial service was held last week. She was described as "special" and "remarkable” by attendees and speakers.
Her murder has also prompted politicians to call for creating a task force for missing and murdered Black women and girls.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee and Illinois police testing DNA on arm. Sade Robinson's family notified.
