The dating app killer has become a major true-crime topic again after The Dating App Killer: The Monica White Story arrived on Netflix and brought renewed attention to Monica White’s unsettling encounter with convicted murderer Anthony Robinson. The Lifetime movie, released on Netflix in August 2026, focuses on White’s brief relationship with Robinson before his 2021 arrest and the disturbing revelations that followed.
The story has gained even more attention because Robinson’s criminal case has moved forward since the original investigation. He was convicted in 2025 for the murders of Allene “Beth” Redmon and Tonita Smith and received two life sentences plus an additional 10 years in 2026.
At the center of the renewed interest, however, is White. She did not know that the man she met online would later be accused of multiple killings. Her decision to end the relationship months before Robinson’s arrest became one of the most striking elements of the case.
Key Points Summary
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║ – Monica White met Anthony Robinson through the dating app Tagged in late 2020 after going through a divorce. ║
║ – White became increasingly uncomfortable during Robinson’s visits in early 2021 and ultimately ended their relationship. ║
║ – Robinson was convicted in 2025 for the murders of Allene “Beth” Redmon and Tonita Smith in Virginia. ║
║ – He was sentenced in 2026 to two life terms plus 10 years for concealing the victims’ bodies. ║
║ – Lifetime’s The Dating App Killer: The Monica White Story dramatizes White’s experience and became available on Netflix in August 2026. ║
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Who Is Monica White?
Monica White was a single mother living in Pennsylvania when she decided to try online dating following her divorce. In late 2020, she connected with Anthony Robinson through Tagged, a social and dating platform.
At the time, Robinson did not appear to White as someone who posed an extraordinary danger. Their early interactions took place through online messages and video conversations, allowing White to develop an impression of him before meeting him in person.
According to accounts White has shared publicly, she initially viewed the connection as an opportunity for companionship. She was not necessarily looking for an intense relationship immediately, but she was open to getting to know someone.
That ordinary beginning became deeply unsettling after Robinson traveled to meet her.
White later recalled noticing warning signs during their encounters. Some of his behavior made her uncomfortable, particularly when he failed to respect boundaries or behaved in ways she considered inappropriate.
She eventually decided that continuing the relationship was not something she wanted.
That decision became critically important when Robinson was arrested later in 2021.
How Monica White Met Anthony Robinson
White met Robinson online in the final months of 2020. Their relationship developed through digital communication before they met face-to-face.
The circumstances were typical of modern online dating: two people exchanged messages, talked remotely and gradually became more familiar with each other.
Robinson presented information about himself that helped create a sense of normalcy. White later described him as someone she initially believed was ordinary and trustworthy.
When they finally met in person in January 2021, White noticed differences between the person she had come to know online and the man standing in front of her.
She reportedly recognized warning signs but initially gave him another opportunity.
Robinson returned around White’s birthday in February 2021. That visit reportedly became a turning point.
His behavior made White uncomfortable enough that she ultimately decided to end the relationship.
At the time, she had no way of knowing that Robinson would soon become the focus of a major murder investigation.
The Warning Signs White Remembered
One of the most compelling aspects of White’s story is that the relationship ended before she knew about Robinson’s alleged criminal activity.
In retrospect, several incidents stood out to her.
White described behavior that she considered inappropriate and disturbing. She also recalled moments when Robinson became aggressive or reacted badly to situations involving boundaries.
These experiences did not automatically reveal that Robinson was capable of murder. That distinction is important.
People can behave strangely, aggressively or inconsiderately without becoming violent criminals. White’s story is significant because she listened to her discomfort and chose to end the relationship rather than because she somehow identified him as a murderer.
After Robinson’s arrest, however, the memories of those encounters took on an entirely different meaning.
When Did Anthony Robinson Become a Suspect?
Robinson’s life changed dramatically later in 2021.
Authorities began investigating the deaths of women who had connections to him. Investigators eventually focused on his movements, communications and interactions with victims.
The investigation centered on Virginia and the Washington, D.C., region and included evidence from motel properties and surveillance footage.
Robinson was arrested in November 2021 after investigators connected him to the deaths of Allene “Beth” Redmon and Tonita Smith.
The case received national attention because investigators alleged that Robinson used dating platforms to meet women before taking them to motels.
The discovery and disposal of victims’ bodies also became central to the investigation.
Why Is Anthony Robinson Called the Shopping Cart Killer?
Robinson became known as the “Shopping Cart Killer” because investigators linked him to the use of shopping carts when moving victims’ bodies.
Evidence presented during the criminal proceedings included surveillance footage showing Robinson moving carts in connection with the disposal of bodies.
The nickname quickly became associated with the case and later appeared in extensive media coverage.
Although the phrase became widely used, the underlying criminal convictions are more specific. Robinson was convicted for the murders of Redmon and Smith.
Other deaths have been investigated in connection with him, but accusations and investigations should not be confused with criminal convictions.
The Two Murders That Led to His Conviction
The prosecution of Robinson focused on Redmon and Smith.
Both women had connections to Robinson, and investigators developed a timeline based on surveillance footage, digital evidence and other information.
The evidence presented to jurors helped establish Robinson’s movements and interactions surrounding the killings.
In January 2025, a Virginia jury found Robinson guilty of multiple charges connected with the two deaths, including aggravated murder, first-degree murder and concealing a body.
The verdict represented a major turning point in the case.
Instead of remaining an unresolved investigation, the deaths of Redmon and Smith resulted in criminal convictions that carried severe penalties.
Anthony Robinson’s 2026 Sentence
Robinson’s legal situation changed again in May 2026 when he was sentenced for the Virginia murders.
He received two life sentences for the aggravated murders of Redmon and Smith.
He also received an additional 10-year prison sentence for concealing the victims’ bodies.
The sentencing followed the 2025 jury verdict and formally established the punishment for the convictions that remained after the court addressed overlapping murder charges.
Robinson is now serving his life sentences in Virginia.
The defense has also indicated that it intends to pursue an appeal, meaning the legal process may continue.
Is Anthony Robinson Suspected in Other Deaths?
Yes.
Investigators have examined Robinson’s possible connection to additional deaths beyond the two Virginia murders for which he was convicted.
The names publicly associated with the broader investigation include Cheyenne Brown, Stephanie Harrison, Sonya Champ and Skye Allen.
However, the legal status of those cases is different from the Redmon and Smith murders.
Robinson’s convictions do not establish guilt in those additional cases. They remain matters of investigation and suspicion unless prosecutors bring charges and obtain convictions.
That distinction is particularly important as interest in the case grows following the Netflix release.
What Is The Dating App Killer: The Monica White Story About?
The Lifetime movie dramatizes Monica White’s experience with Robinson.
Rather than focusing exclusively on the murders and subsequent investigation, the film begins with White’s perspective.
Viewers see a woman who believes she may have found companionship through online dating. As the relationship progresses, Robinson’s behavior becomes increasingly troubling.
The story then moves toward the realization that the man White dated was connected to a much larger criminal investigation.
The film combines White’s personal experience with the known events surrounding Robinson’s case.
Because it is a dramatic production rather than a documentary, viewers should remember that some scenes and conversations are presented for storytelling purposes.
The real-life foundation is White’s relationship with Robinson and the criminal case that followed.
Who Plays Monica White?
Lela Rochon portrays Monica White in the Lifetime production.
Rochon is best known for a long career in film and television, including her role in Waiting to Exhale.
Jarod Joseph portrays Anthony Robinson.
The cast also includes Shyinne Anastacio, Princess Davis, Shanna Giannozio, Trezzo Mahoro, Katrina Reynolds, Spencer Graham and Spencer Driver.
Elisabeth Röhm directed the production.
The casting places White at the center of the story, emphasizing the perspective of a woman who unknowingly interacted with a future convicted murderer.
When Did the Movie Premiere?
The movie originally premiered on Lifetime on February 14, 2026.
The Valentine’s Day release created an unusual contrast between the romantic theme of the date and the dark subject matter of the film.
Months later, Netflix brought the movie to a much larger streaming audience.
Its arrival on Netflix in August 2026 triggered a new wave of interest in White, Robinson and the underlying case.
The movie quickly became a highly discussed title on the platform, demonstrating the continued popularity of true-crime stories based on real criminal investigations.
Why Did Netflix Viewers Become Interested?
True crime has remained one of the most successful genres across streaming platforms, and this case combines several elements that attract viewers.
It involves online dating, a seemingly ordinary relationship, warning signs, a criminal investigation and a survivor who later learned that someone she had dated was accused of multiple killings.
The timing of Robinson’s 2026 sentencing also adds another layer of relevance.
Viewers watching the movie now can connect the dramatized story with the latest legal developments surrounding the real case.
That combination has helped turn the movie into more than a traditional Lifetime thriller.
Where Is Monica White Now?
White has largely maintained a private life since the case became public.
Her experience has attracted significant media attention, particularly after the Netflix release, but she has generally focused on her personal recovery rather than remaining at the center of the true-crime media cycle.
Reports about her life after Robinson’s arrest indicate that she stepped away from dating apps and concentrated on healing.
Her story has also been framed around self-trust and recognizing when a relationship no longer feels safe or healthy.
The fact that White survived the encounter while other women connected to Robinson did not has made her experience especially emotionally significant.
Did Monica White Know Robinson Was Dangerous?
There is no indication that White knew Robinson was a murderer while she was dating him.
She recognized behavior that made her uncomfortable and ultimately ended the relationship.
That distinction is central to understanding her story.
White did not have access to the investigative evidence that later emerged. She was interacting with Robinson as an individual she had met online.
Only after his arrest did she learn the seriousness of the allegations against him.
Her experience illustrates a difficult reality of online dating: a person’s digital identity may reveal only the information they choose to share.
What Does the Case Mean for Online Dating Safety?
The Robinson case has naturally raised questions about safety on dating platforms.
Online dating itself is not inherently dangerous, and millions of people use dating apps successfully. However, meeting strangers through the internet does create situations where basic safety measures can be valuable.
People meeting a new date can consider meeting in public, informing a trusted person about their plans, arranging independent transportation and avoiding situations where they feel pressured.
Perhaps the most important lesson from White’s experience is that discomfort should not be dismissed simply because a relationship has already begun.
If someone’s behavior repeatedly violates personal boundaries, leaving the situation is a reasonable decision.
What Happened to the Victims?
Allene “Beth” Redmon and Tonita Smith were the two women whose deaths resulted in Robinson’s murder convictions.
Their cases became central to the investigation after authorities discovered evidence connecting them to Robinson.
The prosecution relied on evidence including surveillance footage and other investigative material to establish Robinson’s movements.
Their families have had to deal with the consequences of the killings while the criminal case moved through the courts.
The 2026 life sentences brought a significant legal milestone, although the broader investigation surrounding Robinson has continued to attract public attention.
What Is the Latest Update on the Case?
The most significant current development is Robinson’s imprisonment following his 2026 sentencing.
He is serving two life sentences plus 10 years after being convicted in the deaths of Redmon and Smith.
Meanwhile, renewed attention surrounding the Netflix movie has placed Monica White’s story back in the public spotlight.
The production has also introduced viewers who may not have followed the original investigation to the broader circumstances surrounding Robinson.
As of August 2026, there is no basis for treating allegations involving additional deaths as convictions.
Where Can Viewers Watch the Movie?
For U.S. viewers, The Dating App Killer: The Monica White Story is currently available on Netflix following its original Lifetime release.
The movie is a dramatized true-crime story, so viewers interested in the case should distinguish the fictionalized presentation from court records and confirmed facts.
Netflix’s release has nevertheless created a fresh opportunity for audiences to learn about Monica White’s experience and the criminal investigation that followed her brief relationship with Robinson.
Final Takeaway
The story surrounding Monica White and Anthony Robinson continues to attract attention because it began with an ordinary online connection and ended with a murder investigation.
White met Robinson through a dating platform in late 2020 and ended their relationship in early 2021 after becoming uncomfortable with his behavior. Months later, Robinson was arrested and eventually convicted for the murders of Redmon and Smith.
His 2026 sentence of two life terms plus 10 years marked the latest major development in the criminal case.
The Netflix release has now introduced the story to another generation of true-crime viewers. For many, the most striking part may not be the criminal investigation itself, but White’s decision to trust her instincts and walk away before she knew what Robinson was accused of doing.
The case also demonstrates why real criminal cases should be discussed carefully. Robinson has been convicted of two murders, while other deaths have been investigated but should not be described as proven crimes without corresponding convictions.
What do you think about Monica White’s story and the Netflix movie? Share your thoughts in the comments and follow for the latest developments in this case.