When Sheena Scarbrough went to a north-side storage facility last week to gather keepsakes belonging to her daughter, she says she opened the door to find the unit emptied and the lock gone. The missing mementos tied to 19-year-old Sade Robinson, who was killed after a first date in 2024, have left the family feeling like they are reliving their loss all over again.
Scarbrough told FOX6 Milwaukee she went live on Facebook from the facility, showing viewers the bare unit and pointing out that the lock was nowhere to be seen. In the video, she displayed receipts she says prove the storage bill had been paid and stressed that the sentimental items inside "cannot be replaced." She said the disappearance of the belongings has caused her family "extreme additional mental and emotional distress."
Company: 'Unusual, targeted break-in'
An Extra Space Storage spokesperson called the incident "an unusual, targeted break-in" and said there were no obvious signs of forced entry, according to WISN. The company told the outlet the unit had been put into auction status for non-payment in May but was pulled from auction after staff learned more about the customer's circumstances, and said its team did not dispose of the contents. Facility representatives said they plan to cooperate fully with investigators.
Police Investigating
Milwaukee police told FOX6 Milwaukee the break-in happened around July 10 and that an unknown person is believed to be responsible. Investigators have asked anyone with information about what happened to contact the department. As of the latest reports, no arrests have been announced in connection with the theft.
Legal Context
Wisconsin law spells out a specific process for self-storage liens and auctions, including notice and advertising requirements before an operator may sell stored property. Those rules are found in the state's self-service storage statute, Wisconsin Statute 704.90, which is available through FindLaw. The statute allows a lessee injured by a violation to pursue civil remedies, which is why families sometimes challenge whether units were handled properly before items are sold or discarded. If a company did not follow the required steps, the law provides a potential path for damages and recovery.
Family and Community Impact
Robinson's killing and her family's push for answers have remained a point of focus in Milwaukee. Earlier coverage noted that a community memorial bench was installed in her honor. Scarbrough and other relatives say the disappearance of the physical keepsakes now layers fresh pain on top of a high-profile homicide investigation and intense public attention. The family has urged anyone who knows what happened to the items to speak up, saying they hope the belongings can be recovered intact.
What Happens Next
Milwaukee police are continuing to investigate and are again asking the public for tips, WISN reported. Scarbrough has said she remains hopeful that her daughter's belongings will be returned and that whoever is responsible will eventually be identified. Anyone with information is asked to contact Milwaukee police.
