Here's the Tragic Truth About the Death of Venus and Serena's Sister Yetunde Price

The Breakdown: In 2003, Serena Williams’ older half-sister, Yetunde Price, was tragically killed in a drive-by shooting in their hometown of Compton, Calif. Her killer served 13 years for voluntary manslaughter before being released on parole in 2018.

When most people think of Serena Williams’ sister, they think of Venus Williams. The sister duo dominated the sport of tennis, both individually and as a pair, for many years. With 30 Grand Slams between them and 14 doubles titles won together, the Williams sisters have often been front-page news in the sports world.

But Serena and Venus have another sister who made headlines for a much more tragic reason. In 2003, a shooting claimed the life of their older sister, Yetunde Price.

Serena and her sister Venus are the daughters of Richard and Oracene Williams. But their mother had three daughters from a previous marriage – Yetunde, Lyndrea, and Isha. Serena and Venus didn’t see their older sisters as half-siblings. They had close relationships with them, especially Yetunde.

A friend of Price recalled that she took her big sister role seriously, speaking to Serena and Venus on the phone every night. She also played a professional role in their lives. Price was an entrepreneur, who co-owned a salon, but she also supported her younger sisters’ career as their personal assistant.

On the evening of September 14, 2023, Price’s boyfriend, Rolland Wormley, was driving home from a picnic in Compton, California. Price was riding in the passenger seat of the SUV, while Wormley drove.

At some point during their travel, someone opened fire on their vehicle, hitting Yetunde in the torso. Wormley, panicked and not realizing that Yetunde had been hit, drove to his mother’s house, where an ambulance was called. Unfortunately, Price succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The man arrested and tried for the shooting of Yetunde Price is Robert Edward Maxfield. Maxfield initially evaded capture for several months until he was arrested in a raid in Athens, California, in January 2004.

Maxfield, an alleged member of the Southside Crips, pled no-contest to a voluntary manslaughter charge. (Two initial attempts to try him for murder resulted in mistrials.) In April 2006, Maxfield was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison, including the time he had already spent incarcerated during the trial.

Compton is well recognized as the birthplace of notable rappers like Kendrick Lamar, NWA, and Dr. Dre. But it also has a reputation for street life. Naturally, rumours and initial police reports raised questions about gang involvement in the shooting of Serena Williams’ sister.

Investigators in the case did discover that the shooting happened as Price and Wormley drove by a suspected drug house.

However, Wormley has always maintained that the shooting was random and unprovoked, though prosecutors suggested that it was a part of a gang conflict, and police alleged that Wormley was the intended target.

Whether or not Yetunde Price’s shooting was gang-related, the truth remains that gun violence cut her life short. It’s a far too common experience for people living in America. Serena Williams and her sister Venus have chosen to use the pain of losing their sister to make a difference while honoring their sister’s legacy.

The Williams sisters opened the Yetunde Price Resource Center in 2017 to create practical solutions. The non-profit organization helps individuals and families impacted by violence to access the resources and supports they need.

“I was affected personally by gun violence. My sister, unfortunately, passed from that,” Serena told anti-violence youth activist Naomi Wadler on her show DiversiTea.

“People are talking about it now because it’s happening more widespread, but it’s been affecting our community for years. I think we need to get comfortable with having uncomfortable conversations. Situations are never really gonna get better if you always avoid it. You have to take it head-on.”