Khari Sanford is the teenage suspect accused in the homicides of a beloved University of Wisconsin physician, Dr. Beth Potter, and her husband, Robin Carre, who was a fixture in the Madison, Wisconsin, soccer community, Madison police have confirmed.
On Facebook, Sanford, 18, shared a brazen photo showing him holding a gun and made comments about policing the police. He also recently received a deferred prosecution in an auto theft case, according to Wisconsin court records. The motive for the murders is not clear, but he listed on Facebook that he attended the same high school as the victims’ daughter and two sons. The Potter/Carre daughter wrote comments on Facebook that indicate she had been in a relationship with Sanford. “hey bae ❤️,” she wrote on a Facebook post of Sanford’s 13 weeks ago.
Forty-two weeks ago, Sanford wrote on Facebook, “we gon change this world, cause it’s time to let our diversity and youth shine over all oppressive systems and rebuild our democracy✊??.” In 2019, he wrote, “Used to be a wild child I had to calm down.” He also wrote: “…came from nothin???.”
Police said in news releases that they made two arrests in the case, which deeply upset the Madison medical and soccer communities. People flooded social media with tributes to Potter and Carre, describing their caring personalities and good deeds. “Today, we are able to announce that through exceptional police work and with the help of many in our community who provided numerous tips, late last night UWPD officers arrested 18-year-old Khari Sanford – Sanford has been booked into the Dane County Jail on two counts of Party to a Crime for First Degree Intentional Homicide,” Madison police wrote.
On April 4, in a second news release, police revealed they had arrested a second person as well, writing, “Late last night, Friday, April 3, at approximately 11:20 p.m., the UW-Madison Police Department arrested a second suspect in the murders of Robin Carre and Beth Potter. Ali’jah J. Larrue, 18, was taken into custody Friday evening and booked into the Dane County Jail. Larrue is charged with two counts of Party to a Crime for First Degree Intentional Homicide….While this remains a very active police investigation, UWPD investigators believe the two primary suspects in this murder investigation are in custody.” Larrue’s Facebook page says he went to Madison West High School (as did Sanford and the three Potter/Carre children.)
A criminal complaint has now been filed alleging that Potter and Carre had kicked Sanford, their daughter’s boyfriend, out of their house and into an Airbnb because they were allegedly concerned the pair was refusing to social distance due to COVID-19. The complaint stops short of saying that was the motive, indicating that the daughter had allegedly been overheard telling Sanford her parents were rich. It says both victims were murdered by being shot in the head and were wearing pajamas and just underwear when found. You can read the details of the complaint here. The complaint alleges that Sanford confessed to being the triggerman.
The police chief called the victims “remarkable individuals who positively impacted the lives of so many.”
Carre was also an independent education consultant. The bodies were found near the University of Wisconsin Arboretum, and both victims were located in a ditch, according to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department.
The Madison police spokesman told Heavy.com on April 2, 2020: “Based on our investigation so far, we have made the determination that this was a double homicide. We are currently searching for a suspect/suspects responsible.” On April 3, in the early morning hours, they apprehended Sanford.
A Facebook fundraiser for the Carre/Potter children has raised thousands of dollars. You can find it here.
Potter was remembered in tributes as a caring physician who gave back to the community. “Words cannot express our grief,” said William Schwab, MD, professor and interim chair, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, in a previous statement. He continued:
In addition to being a wonderful family physician and highly respected teacher, Beth was a dedicated leader at the Wingra clinic and in our health system. She was wise, warm, and always supportive. There are so many in our department whose lives have been touched by Beth; her loss will weigh heavily within us.
Our sadness is immense. We will care for patients and attend to all of the other meaningful work of our department today and in the coming days because we must, and we will do so, as we have been, under the most extraordinary circumstances — and we will keep Beth’s legacy in our hearts as we step forward. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, there is added pain in not being able to gather together directly to comfort each other, but we will take time to reflect and console in a way that sustains.
Carre was remembered in one tribute as a “pillar in the Madison soccer community.”
UW/LinkedInDr. Beth Potter and Robin Carre
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Khari Sanford Went to Madison West High School, Posted a Photo Holding a Gun on Facebook & Was Selling Videogames on Social Media
FacebookKhari Sanford
The photo above comes from Sanford’s Facebook page and shows him with a gun in his hand.
Court records give a Middleton, Wisconsin address for Sanford. His Facebook page says “Goes to Madison West High School” and “Lives in Madison, Wisconsin.” It says he’s from Chicago. In other social media, he uses the handle “Balloutkhari101.” He wrote on Facebook that he started attending that school in 2015.
His Facebook page shows that he was selling video games recently. In a post on March 26, he wrote, “The console itself is that full price and an extra $30 if you want ALL the games otherwise it’s $5 for each game. We can negotiate only if you are actually going to buy??”
VINE Link, which allows people to track incarcerated people nationally, lists him as Khari Obediah Terrell Sanford, with a date of birth of May 2001, and says he’s in the custody of the Dane County Sheriff’s Office. He’s listed as being “in custody” on VINE Link.
VINELINK
Here’s his mugshot:
MugshotKhari Sanford
In a news release sent to Heavy.com, police earlier confirmed the identities of the two victims, writing, “Today, our partners from the Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the two victims of the March 31 homicide in the UW Arboretum. Robin Carre, age 57, and Beth Potter, age 52 – both of Madison – were found in a ditch by a passerby who was jogging at approximately 6:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. Robin Carre was pronounced dead at the scene. Beth Potter was transported to a local hospital where she later died.”
Police added: “Since our initial response, UWPD officers and investigators have worked around the clock to canvas the neighborhood, follow-up on leads, and talk to individuals who may have information about the homicides.”
2. Police Say Sanford Knew the Victims, Calling the Murders ‘Calculated’ & Cold Blooded
Khari Sanford
Sanford was booked on two counts of party to a crime of first-degree intentional homicide, according to the police chief, who spoke in a video press conference. “The suspect is known to the family…we believe this was not a random act. It was calculated, cold blooded, and senseless,” she said. She did not specify how Sanford was associated with the family. However, Facebook posts indicate that the victims’ two sons and teenage daughter also went to Madison West High School.
Fourteen weeks ago, the Carre/Potter daughter, who appears to be a teenager, wrote on Sanford’s Facebook page, “good morning love” with a heart. He responded with a kissing emoji. Here’s that post. Heavy.com has blurred out the daughter’s name and picture because she may be a juvenile. He responded to her comment by tagging her Facebook page.
Khari Sanford’s Facebook comment thread showing interaction with the Potter/Carre daughter.
Authorities have not released a motive in what they labeled a “double homicide.” However, they did say that they don’t think it was random. Rather, they believed from the start that Potter and Carre were “targeted.”
“At this point, UWPD investigators believe the incident was targeted and not a random act. We continue to follow leads and we encourage anyone with information to please step forward. Those with information can call Madison Area Crime Stoppers at (608) 266-6014 or submit a tip online,” police wrote earlier. The police spokesman told Heavy.com, “The couple was found in a ditch approximately 1/4 mile from the Wingra Street entrance to the UW Arboretum.”
3. Sanford’s Facebook Page Contains Comments About the Police
Sanford made comments about the police on Facebook. “Police the police but I love these kids educated,” he wrote in one post. He shared a Vox video that read, “In Jacksonville, Florida, 29.4% of the population is black — but they receive 55% of pedestrian tickets,” and wrote in the caption “Police the police?.”
He shared a video showing the police from the site Cop Block that was headlined “10 minutes of cops being snowflakes,” and wrote, “We don’t need these people‼️?”
In February, he wrote, “Who got a swisher?” He shared a video headlined “NFL’s Plan for Kaepernick Gets EXPOSED,” and wrote in the caption, “Wake up?.”
In June, he wrote, “Aye I’m ‘A OK’ wit being called a nerd or w.e because that’s just you acknowledging the fact that I’m smarter than you while trying to insult me at the same time???♂️but all I know is can’t nun of you n**gas flex on me wit y’all grades???♂️ can’t nun of you n**gas say y’all better than me when y’all sitting in a cell grieving?and I’m sitting in the classroom eating? fym my life gon always be on top of yours no matter how much money you got lil dawgg? n**gas drop outs tryna crack a joke?? you the joke?”
A friend wrote in the comment thread on that post, “Omm You doing the right sh*t blood.”
Sanford responded to another friend on that post, writing, “your an inspiration dawgg we gotta up lift the youth by gaining knowing and speaking it and spreading it… we can’t change shit unless we convince the world to change that’s why we gotta be prevalent to the youth so they/we make a life where everybody share the responsibility of upholding the common good in all societies?✊?.”
The Dane County Medical Examiner’s office told Heavy.com that the deaths occurred at 6:28 a.m. Carre was pronounced dead at the scene, and Potter was taken to a local hospital, where she died “a short time after arrival.” Autopsies were completed on April 1, and the preliminary results showed both “died from homicidal related trauma.”
In a previous news release, the police wrote: “The UW-Madison Police Department is currently on the scene of a homicide investigation at the UW Arboretum. At approximately 6:30 a.m., a passerby who was jogging in the Arboretum came across two individuals — and man and a woman — lying in a ditch. One was pronounced dead at the scene – the other was transported to a hospital and died a short time later.”
Online records show the couple lived less than 2 miles from the Arboretum.
The website of the Arboretum states that its trails are open from 7 a.m.–10 p.m. Its visiting center opens 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. on weekdays. The page also states, “Runners and cyclists can use 4 miles of paved road through woodlands, wetlands, and prairie. Walkers and runners on paved roads should travel single file, facing traffic, on the road edge. Running is also permitted on the unpaved fire lanes and footpaths within the Arboretum. Biking on unpaved areas is prohibited.”
The mode of attack was not revealed. The medical examiner’s office reported they died of “homicidal related trauma.”
4. Sanford Has a Recent Criminal Court Case That Ended in ‘Deferred Prosecution or Sentence’
Wisconsin court records for Khari Sanford’s 2019 case.
Online court records show that Sanford was charged with a crime in April 2019. The records show that the accusation was: “Take/Drive Veh. w/o Consent-Abandon Veh.” and the case resulted in “Deferred Prosecution or Sentence.” In February 2020, court records indicate, “Defn accepted into FOP; contract terminates November 7, 2020.” The case was a misdemeanor.
Dane County does have a program known as the First Offenders Program. The Department of Justice explains that program this way: “The Deferred Prosecution Unit (DPU), sometimes referred to as the First Offenders Program, is run by the Dane County District Attorney’s Office, and differs in its operation from the way some prosecution agencies use deferred prosecution agreements. Eligible defendants can avoid adjudication (a criminal conviction) and sentencing by satisfying the requirements of a deferred prosecution agreement contract with the D.A.’s Office. The contract may require the defendant to participate in one or more of the following assessments or programs: alcohol and drug assessment and comply with any recommended treatment; abuser / generalized aggression treatment; attend issue specific, DPU, or parenting classes; pay restitution; complete community service work; and secure psychological / psychiatric, vocational and or any other counseling DPU deems necessary.”
Heavy.com has contacted the prosecutor listed in that case for more details.
Potter’s university bio pages have been deleted. However, her LinkedIn page says she was medical director of Employee Health & Wellness for UW Health since April 2016.
She was also a physician with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Access Wingra Family Medical Center since September 1999.
She finished her family medicine residency program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1999, and she also attended Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center. She had a bachelor’s degree in French language and literature from Knox College.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health said in its tribute to Potter: “We honor the passion and commitment she brought to the health of her patients and her fellow health care professionals. We also grieve the loss of her husband, Robin Carre, whose life was claimed by the same tragedy…Potter approached the practice of family medicine with tremendous compassion, earning the respect of patients and colleagues alike. Her multilingualism in French and Spanish brought clarity and comfort to the diverse patient population she served.”
Dr. Beth Potter
The statement continued, “She dedicated her career to the health of families, women, and underserved communities, as well as the education of medical students and residents. In addition, she championed initiatives aimed at fostering the wellness of her health care colleagues.”
It explained, “As the Medical Director of Employee Health Services for UW Health since 2016, Potter led a team focused on occupational health to address the work-related health needs of UW Health employees. She also was a highly respected medical educator who taught and mentored hundreds of medical students and family medicine residents, many of whom went on to join the departmental faculty. Her work focused on teaching evidence-based medicine, wellness, women’s health, and investigating ways in which emerging technologies can be used to advance medical education. Potter is remembered by students and residents as a kind mentor who worked to instill the missions of education, research, patient care, and service to society.”
According to his LinkedIn page, Robin Carre was an “Independent Educational Consultant” for Carre College Coaching in Madison, Wisconsin, for more than five years.
“I help high school students and their families navigate the college admissions process. I help them identify good-fit schools, create balanced application lists and provide support and assistance throughout the application process,” he wrote.
On his website, he explained, “Robin Carre has decades of experience as an educator and coach. He was an Adjunct Professor of History at Viterbo University and was Coaching Director at Regent Soccer Club. He holds a PhD from the University of Illinois at Chicago and an Independent Educational Consulting Certificate from UC-Irvine. He is a member of the Independent Educational Consultant’s Association, the Wisconsin Association for College Admission Counseling and the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling.”
He wrote that his services included:
College Search Consulting and list Development
Development of Application Strategy and Timeline
Essay Help, including brainstorming and editing
Assistance in Applying for Financial Aid and Scholarships
The Facebook page for the business says it was launched in 2015.
5. Potter Was Remembered as a ‘Beautiful Soul’ & Carre as a Leader in the Soccer World
Friends posted tributes on Facebook. “In my time at Wingra Family Medical Center I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Beth Potter,” wrote one. “I am absolutely devastated to hear this tragic news. Beth was always one to go above and beyond for her patients and coworkers. I always admired her want to help others and the amount she would give back to the community (especially the Latino community). I am at an absolute loss of words; why? That’s all I will always ask my self is why someone would do this to such a beautiful soul. ?”
An associate wrote, “She was a doctor at the clinic I work at. She was a warm and wonderful woman. Our whole clinic is in shock and grief. It’s unbelievable ??”
Richard Kilmer wrote in a Facebook tribute, “I spent the afternoon deeply grieving the loss of my physician and friend , Dr Beth Potter. She and her husband were brutally murdered yesterday. I got a call from a mutual friend this morning and I have been in shock ever since. Beth became my physician and friend 20 years ago when I met her as a patient. I was going through one of the hardest times in my life. She was so kind and so compassionate and helped me so much. Beth was the kindest most caring person that I have ever met. I still can not wrap my mind around this tragedy. Between tears, I just keep asking, why, why, why? Beth was brilliant, funny, kind, and full of love. My heart goes out to her children, family, patients, co-workers and friends today. She and her husband were so loved, and will be so missed. . Words can not express my sorrow.”
Dr. Robert Golden, dean of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, told staff in an email, according to Madison.com, “I am deeply saddened to share with you the tragic news about the untimely death of Beth Potter MD, a professor in our Department of Family Medicine and Community Health and the Medical Director of Employee Health Services at UW Health.” The email called her “a wonderful colleague, leader, and friend,” calling her death “exceptionally painful and difficult to bear.”
Tributes were also offered for Carre. “Mason’s good friend and roommates parents. Although I didn’t know them too well Robin was a pillar in the Madison soccer community especially at Regent Soccer Club. This is shocking beyond words. My condolences go out to…the entire Carre-Potter family. Gone too soon,” wrote one man.
The Facebook profile picture on Potter’s page.
Madison.com reported that Potter and her husband had three children.
Carre wrote on LinkedIn that he received a bachelor of arts degree in International Relations from Knox College and a doctorate of Philosophy Ph.D. in European history. He had a certificate as an independent educational consultant at UC Irvine, according to his LinkedIn page.
Regent Soccer Club wrote on Facebook, “We are deeply saddened to say we have lost a very special member of the Regent family. Robin Carre was a friend, mentor, coach, and face of our club for a long time. Our hearts go out to (the post named the three Carre/Potter children), and the entire Carre-Potter family during this horrific time as they mourn the loss of Robin and his wife, Beth Potter.”
On that comment thread, a man who knew them wrote: “I was on the Regent Board with Robin for years and he was my son’s spring soccer coach for his high school team. When I resigned Robin took over as President and led the club. With him at the helm the Club made great strides and the Club is all the better for his leadership. And last year he led my son’s team to victory at the Reddan Thunder soccer tournament. A great leader, coach and mentor. You will be missed Robin.”
Another man wrote, “This is incomprehensible and extremely sad. Robin and Beth were wonderful and generous in many ways. To everyone at Regent SC right now, to whom this family gave so much — my thoughts and deepest sympathies are with you.”
Another indicated, “He was passionate about his family, the kids and the game. Always enjoyed talking about soccer and life with Robin. Quietly made the community, club and people’s lives better. I’ll miss him.”
Potter’s top visible posts on Facebook show fundraisers for charities like protecting the Amazon. She signed a petition that indicated that Americans should “open our hearts and our ports to refugees.” Most of her visible photos show her enjoying the outdoors.
On LinkedIn, Carre said he was director of operations for Regent Soccer Club for more than three years until 2013; he also said he was an adjunct professor at Viterbo University for 12 years through May 2010.
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