The Tragic Timeline: 5 Shocking Facts About The Death Of Serena Williams' Sister Yetunde Price And The Killer's Release
The tragic and untimely death of Yetunde Price, the beloved older half-sister of tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams, remains a harrowing chapter in the family's history. Even over two decades later, the details of the 2003 drive-by shooting in Compton, California, and the subsequent fate of her killer continue to draw public attention, especially as of December 23, 2025, with recent reflections by the Williams sisters in documentaries and interviews.
Yetunde Price was more than just a personal assistant to the world-famous athletes; she was a successful nurse, a business owner, and a devoted mother of three, whose life was senselessly cut short at the age of 31. The case’s most significant recent update—the 2018 parole release of her convicted killer, Robert Edward Maxfield—has reignited conversations about justice, family grief, and the enduring tragedy that shadowed the Williams family's rise to global fame.
Yetunde Price: A Complete Biography and Family Profile
Yetunde Hawanya Tara Price was the eldest of the five daughters of Oracene Price, the mother of Venus and Serena Williams. She led a full life outside of her famous sisters’ careers, balancing multiple demanding roles until her tragic death.
- Full Name: Yetunde Hawanya Tara Price
- Date of Birth: August 9, 1972
- Date of Death: September 14, 2003 (Age 31)
- Place of Birth: Saginaw, Michigan
- Parents: Oracene Price (mother) and Yusef Rasheed (father, deceased)
- Half-Sisters: Venus Williams and Serena Williams (from Oracene Price's marriage to Richard Williams)
- Sisters: Lyndrea Price and Isha Price
- Career: Registered Nurse, successful business owner (salon in Lakewood, California), and part-time personal assistant to Venus and Serena Williams.
- Children: Three children (daughters) who were aged 11, 9, and 5 at the time of her death.
- Residence: Yetunde Price had recently moved back to the Compton area from Corona, California, to be closer to her family.
The Tragic Night: Details of the 2003 Compton Shooting
The night of September 14, 2003, marked a moment of profound sorrow for the Williams family. Yetunde Price was in the Los Angeles suburb of Compton, a place deeply connected to the Williams sisters' formative years, when the fatal incident occurred.
Yetunde was sitting in a Chevrolet Suburban with her boyfriend, Rolland Wormley, near a known drug house in the 1100 block of East Greenleaf Boulevard.
At approximately 12:30 a.m., a drive-by shooting occurred. The vehicle was sprayed with rounds from an AK-47 assault rifle.
Wormley, who was driving, managed to flee the scene and drove to a relative's house, but Yetunde Price had been shot in the chest. She was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The investigation quickly identified the shooter as Robert Edward Maxfield, a reputed member of the Southside Crips street gang.
Authorities determined the shooting was a tragic case of mistaken identity. Maxfield reportedly believed he was firing at a rival gang member who had previously been seen with Wormley, not realizing the vehicle contained Yetunde Price.
The Conviction and Sentencing of Robert Edward Maxfield
The legal proceedings following the murder were complex and drawn out. Robert Edward Maxfield was eventually convicted of voluntary manslaughter for the death of Yetunde Price.
In 2006, after two previous mistrials, Maxfield was sentenced to 15 years in state prison.
The conviction brought a measure of closure to the family, though the pain of their loss remained. Serena Williams, who attended the sentencing, stated at the time that she was there to forgive him, a testament to the family's deep Christian faith and desire to move forward.
The Controversial 2018 Release of the Killer
The most recent and significant update to the case came in 2018, nearly 15 years after the murder, when Robert Edward Maxfield was released from prison on parole.
The news of his release sent shockwaves through the Williams family, particularly Serena, who was informed of the development just moments before she was due to play a match at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
Serena Williams described the moment of learning about Maxfield’s release as "a lot to process," highlighting the profound emotional difficulty of dealing with the killer's freedom while trying to focus on her career.
The early release, a standard practice in the California penal system for good behavior and time served, was a stark reminder of the tragedy and the ongoing reality of the justice system's limitations for victims' families.
Venus Williams also spoke candidly about the pain, noting that the loss of her sister "caused immense pain" and was a constant presence in their lives.
Yetunde's Enduring Legacy: The Resource Center and Family Reflections
In the wake of their sister's death, the Williams family channeled their grief into a positive, tangible effort to help the community where the tragedy occurred.
The Yetunde Price Resource Center (YPRC) was established in Compton, California, in her honor.
The YPRC is dedicated to helping individuals and families affected by violence and trauma, offering services that include mental health resources, education, and support for those dealing with the aftermath of community violence.
This initiative ensures that Yetunde Price's name is forever associated not with her death, but with a legacy of healing and community support, fulfilling the family’s commitment to giving back to their hometown.
Yetunde Price in the Film 'King Richard'
The 2021 biographical film *King Richard*, which depicts the early lives and careers of Venus and Serena Williams, also prominently featured Yetunde Price, bringing her story to a new generation of viewers.
The film portrayed the close bond between the sisters and the eventual tragedy, which was a deeply emotional experience for the entire family.
Serena Williams revealed that watching the film's depiction of her late sister was incredibly difficult, admitting that she "cried the whole time" during the scenes involving Yetunde.
This public and cinematic reflection serves as the most recent public discussion of the murder, ensuring that Yetunde Price is remembered as a vibrant, loving, and essential part of the Williams family's journey, whose life was tragically cut short by senseless violence.
Detail Author:
- Name : Anibal Hodkiewicz
- Username : lwehner
- Email : twunsch@yahoo.com
- Birthdate : 1973-12-17
- Address : 54156 Reichel Club North Petechester, DE 55233-1448
- Phone : +13807327959
- Company : Bradtke and Sons
- Job : Dentist
- Bio : Vitae sint libero veritatis nobis vitae nesciunt similique. At deleniti et qui commodi sit quo. Et numquam et et nam autem asperiores. Quam est architecto dolore nostrum.
Socials
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/vdietrich
- username : vdietrich
- bio : Ab cupiditate qui totam quidem nihil qui fugiat. Aliquam odio est doloremque voluptas et.
- followers : 2699
- following : 483
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/verda_real
- username : verda_real
- bio : Non rem molestias sit sapiente sint itaque.
- followers : 114
- following : 326
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/verda1792
- username : verda1792
- bio : Itaque est debitis est non molestias earum. Quos sunt tempore autem voluptate. Fugiat sapiente sed sunt cupiditate. Occaecati nesciunt dolorem voluptatem ut.
- followers : 4487
- following : 2901
