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The Tragic Truth: How Serena Williams' Sister, Yetunde Price, Passed Away And The Family's Enduring Legacy

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Yetunde Price, the eldest half-sister and personal assistant to tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams, was tragically murdered in a drive-by shooting in Compton, California, on September 14, 2003. Her untimely death at the age of 31 remains a profound and painful chapter in the Williams family history, a story of senseless violence that has been brought back into the public eye with recent reflections from Serena Williams and the release of the biopic *King Richard*. As of December 2025, the legacy of Yetunde Price endures not just as a tragedy, but through a powerful community center established in her memory. The circumstances of her passing were rooted in the gang violence that plagued the area where the Williams sisters grew up, a devastating event that shattered the family's world and continues to influence the sisters' lives and philanthropy today. The man responsible for the murder was convicted, but his subsequent release on parole years later reignited the emotional trauma for the entire Williams family.

Yetunde Price: A Life Cut Short—Biography and Profile

Yetunde Hawanya Tara Price was much more than just the older sister of two global sports icons; she was a beloved mother, a personal assistant, and a vital pillar of the Williams family. Her life, though tragically brief, was dedicated to her family and her own children.
  • Full Name: Yetunde Hawanya Tara Price
  • Born: August 9, 1972
  • Died: September 14, 2003 (Age 31)
  • Place of Death: Compton, California, USA
  • Cause of Death: Gunshot wound (Homicide)
  • Parents: Oracene Price (Mother), Yusef Rasheed (Father)
  • Siblings: Venus Williams (Half-Sister), Serena Williams (Half-Sister), Lyndrea Price (Sister), Isha Price (Sister)
  • Role: Registered Nurse (RN) and Personal Assistant to Venus and Serena Williams.
  • Children: Yetunde was a mother to three children: a son and two daughters, who were 11, 9, and 5 years old at the time of her death.
Yetunde was known for her warm spirit and her commitment to her family. She often traveled with her younger sisters, Venus and Serena Williams, helping manage their schedules and serving as a comforting presence amidst the high-pressure world of professional tennis.

The Tragic Events of September 14, 2003

The murder of Yetunde Price occurred in the early hours of Sunday, September 14, 2003. She was a passenger in a Chevrolet Suburban being driven by her boyfriend, Rolland Wormley. The pair were driving through Compton, California, near the 1100 block of East Greenleaf Boulevard, which was known to be a territory claimed by the Southside Crips gang.

The Drive-By Shooting

According to police reports and trial testimonies, an altercation or confrontation led to a barrage of gunfire directed at the SUV. Robert Edward Maxfield, a 25-year-old member of the Southside Crips, opened fire on the vehicle with an AK-47 assault rifle. Yetunde Price was struck in the chest by one of the bullets and died at the scene. Her boyfriend, Rolland Wormley, managed to drive away and seek help but was unable to save her. The tragic incident was later determined to be a case of mistaken identity, where Maxfield believed the SUV belonged to a rival gang member, illustrating the devastating, random nature of gang violence in the area.

The Conviction, Parole, and Serena Williams’ Recent Reflections

Following the investigation, Robert Edward Maxfield was arrested and charged with the murder of Yetunde Price. The trial concluded with Maxfield pleading no contest to voluntary manslaughter in 2006.

The Killer’s Release

Maxfield was sentenced to 15 years in state prison. However, after serving nearly 15 years of his sentence, he was released on parole in August 2018. The news of Maxfield's release was particularly devastating for the Williams family, bringing the trauma of the murder back to the forefront.

Serena’s Emotional Struggle and Forgiveness

Serena Williams has been candid about how the news of her sister's killer's parole affected her. She revealed that she learned of the release just 10 minutes before taking the court for a match at Wimbledon in 2018, which she subsequently lost. "I couldn't shake it out of my mind," Williams said, describing the emotional turmoil that impacted her performance. Williams has also spoken about the difficult journey of forgiveness, a key entity in the aftermath of such a tragedy. In a 2018 interview, she stated that she had not yet forgiven Maxfield for the slaying of her sister, highlighting the deep, enduring pain of the loss.

The Enduring Legacy: The Yetunde Price Resource Center (YPRC)

In the wake of their sister's death, the Williams family—including Venus, Serena, and their sisters Lyndrea and Isha—chose to honor Yetunde's memory by transforming their grief into action.

A Beacon of Hope in Compton

The family established the Yetunde Price Resource Center (YPRC) in Compton, California, the same city where Yetunde was murdered. The YPRC is a crucial entity and a powerful symbol of the family's commitment to the community. The center provides comprehensive resources and support to individuals and families in Compton who have been affected by violence and trauma. The YPRC's mission is a direct response to the circumstances of Yetunde's death, focusing on healing, community support, and anti-violence initiatives.

The Williams Sisters’ Philanthropy

The work of the YPRC is a major part of the Williams sisters' philanthropic efforts, ensuring that Yetunde's memory is tied to positive change and hope rather than just tragedy. The center offers a variety of services, including trauma-informed care, mental health resources, and educational programs, all aimed at breaking the cycle of violence that took their sister's life. The story of Yetunde Price, including her tragic passing and the subsequent establishment of the Yetunde Price Resource Center, was poignantly portrayed in the 2021 Academy Award-winning film *King Richard*. The movie, which chronicles the early lives and careers of Venus and Serena Williams under the guidance of their father, Richard Williams, ensured that Yetunde's life and the family's loss were recognized by a global audience. The enduring narrative of Yetunde Price is a powerful testament to the impact of senseless violence, but also to the resilience and love of the Williams family. They have taken the pain of a drive-by shooting tragedy and channeled it into a lasting legacy of support for the community she called home.
how did serena williams sister pass
how did serena williams sister pass

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