Amid open investigation, Sade Robinson's family & friends hold emotional memorial service

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Family and friends of Sade Robinson gathered Friday to celebrate a young life gone too soon. Robinson was killed last month, and her body was dismembered in Milwaukee.

The celebration was held at the Baird Center on Friday, May 10, which would have been Robinson's 20th birthday.

Her family and friends used that to try to celebrate her life as much as they mourned her death.

But at the service, Sade's own mother addressed -in her words- the elephant in the room: an open murder investigation and still-missing body parts.

The Baird Center was filled with the color pink, Robinson's favorite color, and many of the mourners wore pink t-shirts with Robinson's picture on them.

Robinson's family has talked openly about how difficult the service will be not having her entire body.

Sade Robinson's sister, Adrianna Reams, was one of many people who spoke at the service. She told those gathered in the audience, "Everyone who knew her knew how special she was. And to every one of you, I'm sorry that we're never going to get to see that light again."

Friday's memorial service tried to do which felt impossible for many people: close an open wound.

Robinson's mother, Sheena Scarbrough, said, "To lose a child, is something that was not a part of my plan."

For several hours, family and friends, even coworkers commemorated Robinson's life.

Her biological father, Carlos Robinson, said, "I never knew it was possible to love someone as much as I love my daughter."

Quincy, a former coworker, told the crowd, "I have a little speech problem, and a disability, it's kind of hard for me to walk. So she helps me walk up and down the stairs all the time."

Intense grief, pain, and anguish were ever present.

One friend said, "Her kids will never call me Auntie Cara and vice versa."

But there were also moments of appreciation.

Scarbrough said, "Today we are here for Sade's celebration of life. We are here to talk about how she walked, how she talked how she lived."

And moments of joy and gratitude.

Her stepfather, Jonathan Reams, shared memories of her laugh, saying, "Her head would go back, her mouth would open. And if you ain't never heard that laugh, you're missing something, I promise you."

Another former coworker, named Winston, shared, "I wouldn't be the same person if it wasn't for Sade."

At the end of the formal service, many moved outside for a final symbolic goodbye as family members released six doves.

Standing at the back of the memorial service were several plain-clothed detectives who have been working on Sade's case.

The criminal investigation is ongoing as they continue building their case against the accused killer, Maxwell Anderson.

Anderson is scheduled to be back in court next week.