Summary (tl;dr)

The story of Monica White, who unknowingly dated serial killer Anthony Robinson (known as the "Shopping Cart Killer"), is trending due to the recent release of a Lifetime movie about her experience on Netflix.

Essential Background

Anthony Eugene Robinson was an American serial killer who operated primarily in Virginia and the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, murdering at least four women and disposing of their bodies using shopping carts. He would typically meet victims on dating platforms, lure them to inexpensive motels, and then kill them. Robinson was arrested in November 2021 after the bodies of Beth Redmon and Tonita Smith were discovered in Harrisonburg, Virginia. In January 2025, a Rockingham County jury convicted him of two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated murder, and two counts of concealing a dead body, for which he received life sentences on May 22, 2026. Monica White met Robinson on a dating app in late 2020 and dated him for several months, experiencing disturbing behavior before ending the relationship in early 2021.

The Full Story

The keywords "monica white story" and "anthony robinson killer" are currently trending due to the widespread availability of "The Dating App Killer: The Monica White Story" on Netflix, which premiered on August 15, 2026, after its initial release on Lifetime. This true-crime drama dramatizes Monica White's terrifying real-life experience of dating Anthony Robinson before his arrest and identification as the "Shopping Cart Killer." The film highlights White's narrow escape and her later realization that the man she had dated was responsible for the murders of multiple women, drawing renewed public attention to Robinson's case and the chilling details of his crimes.

Why It Matters

This renewed public interest in Monica White's story and Anthony Robinson's crimes serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking on online dating platforms. White's account emphasizes the importance of recognizing red flags in relationships and trusting one's instincts, even when confronted with seemingly charming individuals. The film's broad reach on Netflix aims to raise awareness about predatory behavior and the need for vigilance in personal safety, sparking important conversations about victim identification and the psychological impact on those who encounter such dangerous individuals.

Geographic Location

• Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States (location where bodies of Beth Redmon and Tonita Smith were found and where Anthony Robinson was convicted)
• Charlottesville, Virginia, United States (hometown of victim Tonita Smith)
• Fairfax County, Virginia, United States (police investigated Robinson in connection with other victims)
• Washington, D.C., District of Columbia, United States (area where Robinson operated and where victim Sonya Champ's body was found)
• Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States (Monica White's hometown where Anthony Robinson visited her)