Lifetime’s true-crime movie The Dating App Killer: The Monica White Story has grabbed attention worldwide. The film tells the chilling story of a woman who dated a man she met online, only to discover he was a serial killer. The movie is based on actual events that shocked the Washington D.C. and Virginia areas. The real-life killer, Anthony Eugene Robinson, became known as the “Shopping Cart Killer” because of how he disposed of his victims’ bodies.
The film, which first aired on Lifetime on February 14, 2026, and later arrived on Netflix, stars Lela Rochon as Monica White and Jarod Joseph as Anthony Robinson. But the real story behind the movie is even more disturbing.
Who Is Monica White in Real Life?
Monica White is a real woman from Pennsylvania. She was a recent divorcee in her 50s who decided to try online dating after her son left for military school. In late 2020, she joined the dating app Tagged and started talking to a man named Anthony Robinson.
White told People magazine about her experience. She said Robinson first messaged her with a simple greeting. He told her he liked that she was a preschool teacher and admired her passion for art. He also mentioned he preferred dating older women because they were more mature.
At first, Robinson seemed normal. He worked for his local municipality doing trash and waste removal. But White soon noticed warning signs.
The Red Flags Monica White Ignored
The relationship between Monica White and Anthony Robinson lasted only a few months, from late 2020 to early 2021. During that time, White saw several disturbing behaviors.
When Robinson first traveled to Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, to meet White in person in January 2021, he said something that immediately worried her. He told her, “Please don’t judge me straight off the bat — let’s get to know each other. I don’t like when women reject me”. White later called this “a red flag right there”.
The situation got worse in the bedroom. Robinson tried to tie White up during intercourse. She told People:
“He tried to tie me up. But I wouldn’t let him. I was like, ‘I’m not into it.’ He pulled my arms behind my back and then grabbed me by my neck.”
White also heard a voice in her head telling her she was “sleeping with the enemy”. She woke up in the middle of the night to find Robinson staring at her because she had rejected his advances.
The most bizarre incident happened on White’s birthday in February 2021. Robinson urinated in her bed. White recalled:
“He peed in my bed on my birthday. I could not believe it. I allowed you to sleep in my bed, and you pee in my bed?”
After that, White ended the relationship. Robinson became angry and started “snapping”. He later offered White $500 to visit him at a motel in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, but she refused.
Who Was Anthony Robinson, the Shopping Cart Killer?
Anthony Eugene Robinson was a serial killer who operated in the Virginia and Washington D.C. area. He earned the nickname “Shopping Cart Killer” because he used shopping carts to move the bodies of his victims.
Police suspect Robinson of murdering six women. He met his victims through dating apps, just like he met Monica White.
The known victims include:
- Allene “Beth” Redmon – killed in October 2021
- Tonita Smith – killed in November 2021
- Stephanie Harrison – suspected victim
- Cheyenne Brown – suspected victim
- Sonya Champ – suspected victim
- Skye Allen – suspected victim
Surveillance footage showed Robinson entering a Howard Johnson Hotel room in Harrisonburg, Virginia, with Redmon in October 2021. He entered again with Smith the following month. In both cases, he left the hotel room the next morning with a shopping cart covered by a sheet. The women’s bodies were later found on a nearby hillside.
Robinson is also linked to the deaths of two women in Fairfax County, Virginia. Their bodies were found with shopping carts nearby. In September 2021, Sonya Champ’s body was found in a shopping cart under a sheet at Washington D.C.’s Union Station. Robinson’s DNA was found on Champ and the shopping cart.
Robinson’s Arrest and Conviction
Anthony Robinson was arrested in November 2021. Police used surveillance footage and cellphone records to link him to the murders of Redmon and Smith.
In January 2025, Robinson went to trial. The jury took only 30 minutes to find him guilty on all charges. He was convicted of:
- Two counts of aggravated murder
- Two counts of first-degree murder
- Two counts of concealing a dead body
The jury recommended four life sentences plus 10 years and a $400,000 fine. In 2026, Robinson was sentenced to two life terms plus 10 years in prison. His defense team said they would appeal the ruling.
The Movie: The Dating App Killer: The Monica White Story
The Lifetime film The Dating App Killer: The Monica White Story premiered on February 14, 2026. The movie was directed by Elisabeth Röhm, who is known for her role on Law & Order. It was written by Miriam Van Emst and David Weaver.
The cast includes:
- Lela Rochon (Waiting to Exhale) as Monica White
- Jarod Joseph (The 100) as Anthony Robinson
- Shyinne Anastacio as Beverley
- Princess Davis as Tonita
- Katrina Reynolds as Laila
The movie follows Monica White as she navigates life after divorce and starts dating again. She meets Anthony online and thinks she has found a real connection. But she does not know he is a serial killer who preys on women through dating apps.
The film originally aired on Lifetime for U.S. cable viewers. Netflix later acquired the streaming rights and re-released the movie to reach a global audience. The movie is now available to stream on Netflix.
Monica White’s Survival and Healing
Monica White is one of the few women who dated Anthony Robinson and survived. She has spoken publicly about her experience to help others recognize the warning signs of dangerous people.
White told People that looking back, she now sees all the red flags she missed. She realized she had been intimate with a serial killer, which made her reflect deeply on her life.
She said she knew something was wrong with Robinson. “Something snapped. It was crazy,” she told People.
White’s story serves as a warning to anyone using dating apps. It shows that people can hide dark secrets behind a normal appearance. Her decision to end the relationship when she did likely saved her life.
Where to Watch The Dating App Killer: The Monica White Story
The Dating App Killer: The Monica White Story is currently available to stream on Netflix for audiences worldwide. The movie has a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes.
Viewers in the United States can watch it on Netflix. The film is also available for streaming in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, and other countries where Netflix operates. The movie is rated TV-14 and contains mature themes related to true crime.
Also Read: Anya Taylor-Joy’s Lucky Arrives on Apple TV With Full Episode Release Schedule
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