The Unspeakable Tragedy: What Really Happened In The 2003 Shooting Of Serena Williams' Sister, Yetunde Price
The murder of Yetunde Price, the beloved older half-sister and personal assistant to tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams, remains one of the most profound and heartbreaking tragedies in sports history. On a quiet night in Compton, California, in September 2003, a senseless act of gang violence shattered the Williams family, bringing the harsh realities of their hometown back into the global spotlight. This shocking event, which occurred over two decades ago, continues to shape the lives and advocacy of the tennis icons, with new insights into their ongoing grief and the killer's eventual release providing a crucial, updated perspective on the enduring pain of their loss, even as of this current date, December 18, 2025.
The story of Yetunde Price is not just a footnote in the Williams sisters' biography; it is a profound narrative of a vibrant life cut short, a testament to the devastating impact of gun violence, and a chronicle of the Williams family's quiet, powerful resilience in the face of unimaginable sorrow. The circumstances surrounding the shooting, the identity of the perpetrator, and the subsequent legal proceedings offer a chilling look at the violence that plagued the area where the champions first learned to play.
Yetunde Price: A Profile of Serena and Venus Williams' Beloved Sister
Yetunde Hawanya Tara Price was a central, grounding figure in the lives of the Williams sisters, often traveling with them and serving as their personal assistant. Her life, tragically ended at the age of 31, was marked by her dedication to her family and her professional endeavors.
- Full Name: Yetunde Hawanya Tara Price
- Date of Birth: August 9, 1972
- Date of Death: September 14, 2003
- Age at Death: 31
- Family Role: Oldest half-sister to Venus and Serena Williams (from their mother Oracene Price's first marriage to Yusef Rasheed). She had three other sisters: Lyndrea, Isha, and Tunde (Yetunde).
- Profession: Yetunde was a registered nurse, a personal assistant to her famous sisters, and a successful owner of a hair salon in California.
- Children: She was a mother to three children.
- Location of Death: Compton, California.
- Cause of Death: Fatally shot in the head during a drive-by shooting.
The Tragic Drive-By Shooting in Compton, 2003
The events of September 14, 2003, unfolded in the early hours of the morning in Compton, a city deeply intertwined with the Williams family’s origin story. Yetunde Price was a frequent visitor to the area, despite the family having moved away years earlier.
Details of the Fatal Night
Yetunde was sitting in a parked SUV with her boyfriend, Rolland Wormley, in the 1100 block of East Greenleaf Boulevard, near the former childhood home of the Williams sisters.
The area was known territory for the Southside Crips street gang.
According to police reports, the couple was allegedly confronted by a group of gang members who believed the SUV belonged to a rival gang.
Robert Edward Maxfield, a 24-year-old member of the Southside Crips, opened fire on the vehicle with an AK-47 assault rifle.
Yetunde Price was struck in the head by a bullet and died at a nearby hospital. Her boyfriend was unharmed and drove her from the scene.
The senseless nature of the crime—a case of mistaken identity and unprovoked gang violence—sent shockwaves through the community and the global tennis world.
The Legal Aftermath and Robert Maxfield’s Release
The investigation quickly led to the arrest of Robert Edward Maxfield. The legal proceedings and subsequent sentencing provided some closure for the family, but the pain of the loss remained palpable.
The Conviction and Sentence
Maxfield was charged with murder, but ultimately pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in 2006.
He was sentenced to 15 years in state prison.
During the sentencing, Yetunde's sisters, including Venus and Serena, delivered powerful, emotional victim impact statements, highlighting the devastating hole her death left in their lives. The statements underscored the personal cost of inner-city violence.
The Shocking Release in 2018
In a major update to the case, Robert Maxfield was released from prison in August 2018, having served nearly 15 years of his sentence.
His release, which was based on time served and good behavior, was a deeply painful moment for the Williams family.
Serena Williams later spoke candidly about the moment she learned of his release. She described it as a difficult and unexpected shock, especially while she was preparing for the US Open.
The tennis star acknowledged the complexity of the situation, mentioning her personal struggle with forgiveness and the difficulty of accepting the killer's freedom.
The Williams Family's Enduring Legacy and Forgiveness
Despite the profound tragedy and the ongoing trauma, the Williams family has channeled their grief into constructive action, particularly in the community where Yetunde lost her life. Their response has become a powerful example of resilience and a commitment to combating violence.
A Center for Healing
In honor of Yetunde Price, the Williams family funded the Yetunde Price Resource Center (YPRC) in Compton.
The YPRC is dedicated to helping victims of violence and their families access necessary resources, including mental health services, drug rehabilitation, and educational support. The center serves as a tangible, positive legacy stemming from the tragedy.
This initiative reflects the family's deep-rooted connection to Compton and their desire to transform a place associated with pain into a place of healing and hope.
Serena's Struggle with Forgiveness
Serena Williams has often spoken about the murder, revealing the deep, lasting impact it has had on her mental health and her personal journey toward forgiveness.
She has admitted that forgiveness is a continuous, difficult process, especially given the sudden and violent nature of her sister's death.
The story of Yetunde Price was prominently featured in the 2021 biographical film King Richard, which brought the tragedy to a new generation of viewers and highlighted the family's journey from Compton to global superstardom, all while grappling with this immense personal loss.
The tragedy of Yetunde Price is a constant reminder of the violence that disproportionately affects marginalized communities. The Williams sisters, through their advocacy and the Yetunde Price Resource Center, ensure that Yetunde's memory is not defined by her death, but by the life she lived and the positive change her legacy continues to inspire.
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