The Unspoken Tragedy: 5 Key Facts About The Murder Of Venus And Serena Williams' Sister, Yetunde Price

The tragic loss of Yetunde Price, the older half-sister of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams, remains one of the most painful and defining moments for the Williams family. The drive-by shooting in Compton, California, in 2003, stripped the world of a loving mother, a dedicated nurse, and a vital personal assistant to the superstar athletes, casting a dark shadow over their unprecedented success. As of December 12, 2025, the case continues to resonate, not only due to the senseless violence but also because of the family's enduring commitment to transforming their grief into a powerful, positive legacy for the community where the tragedy occurred. This deep dive examines the life of Yetunde Price, the devastating details of the crime, the fate of the convicted killer, and the extraordinary work the Williams family has undertaken to honor her memory, ensuring her name is synonymous with hope and healing, not just tragedy. The information presented is based on the most recent public records and interviews, providing a fresh and comprehensive perspective on this two-decade-old wound.

Yetunde Price: A Full Biography and Profile

Yetunde Hawanya Tara Price was much more than just the older sister of two of the world’s most famous athletes; she was a foundational pillar of the Williams-Price family and a professional in her own right.

• Full Name: Yetunde Hawanya Tara Price
• Born: August 9, 1972, in Saginaw, Michigan, United States.
• Parents: Oracene Price and Yusef Rasheed. She was the eldest of Oracene Price’s three daughters from her first marriage, making her the half-sister to Venus and Serena Williams, who are the daughters of Oracene and Richard Williams.
• Siblings: Lyndrea Price and Isha Price (full sisters), and Venus Williams and Serena Williams (half-sisters).
• Occupation: Yetunde was a highly dedicated professional. She worked as a Registered Nurse (RN) for nine years at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, California. She was also a thriving business owner, running a beauty salon in the Los Angeles area. In addition, she served as a personal assistant and coordinator for her younger tennis superstar sisters, Venus and Serena.
• Family Life: She was a devoted mother to three children: Jeffrey, Justus, and Jair.
• Death: Yetunde Price was tragically murdered on September 14, 2003, at the age of 31, in a drive-by shooting in Compton, California.

Yetunde’s role was crucial to the Williams family dynamic. As the eldest sister, she often served as a grounding force and a source of stability for her younger siblings as they navigated the pressures of professional tennis. Her life was characterized by hard work, dedication to her children, and deep loyalty to her family.

The Tragic Night: Details of the 2003 Compton Drive-By Shooting

The events of September 14, 2003, unfolded in the early hours, marking a devastating conclusion to a seemingly random act of gang violence in the Williams family’s former neighborhood of Compton, California. Yetunde Price was sitting in a white SUV with her boyfriend, Rolland Wormley, near the 1100 block of East Greenleaf Boulevard, a street known for high gang activity. They were visiting the neighborhood, and the vehicle was reportedly parked outside a house owned by her boyfriend. The fatal shooting occurred around 12:15 a.m.. A reputed member of the Southside Compton Crips street gang, Robert Edward Maxfield, opened fire on the SUV with an assault rifle, mistakenly believing the vehicle belonged to a rival gang member. Yetunde was struck by a bullet in her upper torso, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Her boyfriend, Rolland Wormley, was uninjured but drove Yetunde to a hospital, where she could not be saved. The sheer senselessness of the murder—a case of mistaken identity in a gang-related shooting—amplified the tragedy for the entire family and the community.

The Killer's Fate: Robert Edward Maxfield's Conviction and Controversial Release

The man responsible for Yetunde Price’s death, Robert Edward Maxfield, was eventually brought to justice, but the legal and correctional timeline has been a source of ongoing pain for the Williams family. Maxfield, a 25-year-old gang member at the time, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in 2006. He was sentenced to 15 years in state prison for the crime. In a moment of profound courage and grief, Serena Williams addressed Maxfield directly during his sentencing in Compton Superior Court. She stated that she was not going to speak because it was "too hard," but she wanted him to know the depth of the pain his actions had caused. This courtroom moment underscored the personal devastation inflicted upon the family.

The Early Release and Re-Arrest

In a major update that brought the case back into the headlines, Robert Maxfield was released from prison in 2018 after serving less than 15 years of his sentence. This early release was a result of good behavior and other credits, but it was a shock to the family. The news of his freedom was particularly difficult for Serena Williams. She revealed in an interview that she learned of Maxfield’s release just moments before she was due to play a major match against Johanna Konta at the 2018 Silicon Valley Classic. The emotional toll was immense, with Williams admitting she "cried the whole time" and "couldn't shake it out of my mind," which contributed to her significant loss in that match. Adding another layer to the controversy, Maxfield was reportedly re-arrested shortly after his 2018 release for violating his parole, right back in Compton, the same city where the murder took place. This brief return to custody highlighted the complex and cyclical nature of violence and the justice system in the community.

Yetunde Price's Enduring Legacy: The Yetunde Price Resource Center

The Williams family, led by Venus and Serena, chose not to let Yetunde’s death be the final word. Instead, they channeled their grief into a lasting, positive force for change in the community of Compton. In honor of their sister, the family established the Yetunde Price Resource Center (YPRC). The center is a powerful testament to Yetunde’s spirit and the family’s commitment to healing. The Yetunde Price Resource Center focuses on providing vital assistance to families and individuals affected by community violence and trauma in Compton and the surrounding areas. The YPRC provides resources such as: * Mental health services and counseling. * Access to educational programs and job training. * Referrals to support groups for victims of violence. * Community outreach and empowerment initiatives. The center ensures that Yetunde's legacy is one of compassion, hope, and community service. The Williams sisters frequently use their platform and their own foundation, the Williams Sister Fund, to support the YPRC, continuing to give back to the city that was the backdrop for both their incredible rise to fame and their deepest personal tragedy.

The Williams Family's Healing Journey and Public Statements

The murder of Yetunde Price was a searing, private tragedy that played out on a public stage, forcing the Williams family to grapple with immense loss while maintaining their high-profile careers. Serena Williams has often spoken about the difficulty of forgiveness and the long-term impact of the violence. Her emotional public statements, particularly regarding the killer's release, have provided a rare glimpse into the family's ongoing struggle with the aftermath of the murder. The family’s patriarch, Richard Williams, and matriarch, Oracene Price, have consistently supported the sisters in their efforts to honor Yetunde. The story of the family, including the tragedy and the establishment of the Yetunde Price Resource Center, was a significant element in the Oscar-winning film *King Richard*, which brought the profound impact of Yetunde's life and death to a new generation of viewers. The enduring legacy is clear: Yetunde Price, the registered nurse, the mother of three, and the eldest sister, is remembered not for how she died, but for the life she lived and the powerful center that now bears her name, working daily to prevent similar tragedies in the future.