On November 11, Netflix released the biopic ‘Rob Peace’ directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor. The film, starring Jay Will, Mary J. Blige and Camila Cabello, released in August 2024, is adapted from Jeff Hobbs’ bestselling book “The Brief and Tragic Life of Robert Peace”.

‘Rob Peace’ follows the story of Robert DeShaun Peace, who was murdered in 2011 at the age of 30 after a drug deal went wrong. Peace, who went to Yale University, went through some difficult paths to achieve academic success while trying to save his father in prison. His murder remains an unsolved riddle as the attacker who threatened his life cannot be traced.

Who was Rob Peace?

Robert, who is Rob to those he is close to, was born in East Orange, New Jersey, in 1980, to Jackie and Skeet. Robert’s intellectual abilities were identified while he was still attending kindergarten, and his parents concluded that academics were a step ahead for him.

Tragedy struck the family in 1987, when Skeet was convicted of the murders of Charlene Moore and Estella Moore. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, making prison a part of little Barış’s life. According to the People portal, Rob Peace visited his father every weekend for more than a decade, while Skeet did his part by phoning his son to ensure his focus on studies remained unwavering.

What happened to Rob Peace’s father?

After he turned 18, Rob began a legal fight to gain his father’s freedom. People reported that her efforts even managed to get Skeet out for a short while.

Rob Peace majored in molecular biophysics and biochemistry at Yale University. While his academic expenses were covered by a philanthropic businessman, the young man began his criminal career to pay the salaries of his father’s lawyers. He used his dorm room to sell marijuana, allegedly saving up to $100,000, according to US media reports.

However, Peace’s legal battle did not reach the desired conclusion as Skeet died in prison in 2006 after being diagnosed with brain cancer.

Rob Peace’s murder: What we know

He graduated from Yale in 2002 and worked at St. Louis until 2007. He worked as a biology teacher at Benedict’s. During this period, he also worked in the baggage handling department at Newark International Airport.

Many remember ‘Teacher Rob’ as someone who cared about the community and his friends’ children.

Although the circumstances remain unclear, media reports indicate that he returned to the marijuana business in his 20s. This led to his murder in May 2011.

Rob Peace was shot and killed by an unidentified gunman at a Newark grow house. New Jersey Police were able to seize marijuana and cash from the scene, which influenced the conclusion that he was shot and killed during a drug deal gone wrong.

According to Rob Peace’s college roommate who attended his funeral, at least 400 people attended the event; This is proof of the significant impact he had on people’s lives.