Venus Williams' Sister - Shot in the Head by Mistake

Serena and Venus Williams are two of the greatest tennis players in history, but their success has been shadowed by a devastating loss. In 2003, the sisters’ eldest sibling, Yetunde Price, was shot and killed in Compton, California - just a mile from the very courts where the Williams sisters honed their craft. The shocking murder not only shattered their tight-knit family but also sent ripples through the sports world.

Who Was Yetunde Price?

Yetunde Price was more than just the older sister of tennis icons - she was a dedicated mother of three, a registered nurse, and a co-owner of a beauty salon. In addition to managing her own professional endeavors, she played a key role in supporting Venus and Serena’s demanding careers, working as their personal assistant. Despite her sisters’ global fame, Yetunde largely maintained a private life, prioritizing her children and her career over the spotlight.

Born to Oracene Price during her first marriage, Yetunde was the eldest of five sisters, with younger siblings Lyndrea and Isha preceding Venus and Serena, who were born after Oracene married Richard Williams. This blended family remained close-knit, and Serena has often reflected on the deep bond she shared with her oldest sister. In a 2007 interview with PEOPLE, she expressed the profound impact Yetunde had on her life, saying, “Yetunde and I were so close; she changed my diapers.”

The Night of the Shooting

On Sept. 14, 2003, Price was in the passenger seat of her partner Rolland Wormley’s SUV as they drove through Compton. Without warning, gunfire erupted. The bullets tore through the vehicle, striking Price in the back of the head. Wormley, who was uninjured, drove frantically to his mother’s house for help, only realizing the extent of Price’s injuries when he saw blood everywhere. She was rushed to the hospital, but it was too late - she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at the age of 31.

Authorities later determined that the attack was gang-related. Price and Wormley had unknowingly driven past a suspected drug house when Southside Crips gang members opened fire. Prosecutors argued that the shooters mistakenly believed Wormley was affiliated with a rival gang.

The Fight for Justice

The road to justice for Yetunde Price was long and complicated. One suspect, Aaron Hammer, was arrested almost immediately, but after a mistrial, the charges against him were dropped. Another suspect, Robert Edward Maxfield, a known gang member, was arrested in January 2004. His first two trials ended in hung juries. Finally, in 2006, he pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Despite the conviction, the Williams family’s pain was far from over. Maxfield was released on parole in 2018 for good behavior. Serena Williams later admitted she learned of his release via social media just moments before stepping onto the court for a match. “No matter what, my sister is not coming back for good behavior,” she told Time magazine, expressing her heartbreak.

How the Williams Sisters Honor Yetunde’s Memory

Though the loss of their sister was devastating, Venus and Serena turned their grief into action. In 2016, they opened the Yetunde Price Resource Center in Compton, a facility dedicated to helping families affected by violence. “We’re really appreciative to have this opportunity,” Serena said, as reported by The Root. "… And to have it in Compton, I think, brings everything full circle. We started here and we want to make sure people understand this is a great place to be.”

The tragedy of Yetunde Price’s murder remains a painful chapter in the Williams family’s story. Though time has passed, the impact of her loss continues to be felt - not just by her famous sisters, but by the entire community she left behind.

References: What Happened to Serena and Venus Williams’ Oldest Sister, Yetunde Price? A Look Back at Her Tragic Death in a Compton Shooting | Tennis Stars' Sister Killed in Shooting | Venus and Serena Williams Return to Compton, Calif., to Pay Homage to Their Sister | What happened to Serena and Venus Williams’ sister Yetunde Price? Inside her tragic murder and shock aftermath | Serena Williams Opens Up About Her Complicated Comeback, Motherhood And Making Time to Be Selfish