What to know about Robert DeShaun Peace
The life of Robert DeShaun Peace was a combination of triumph and tragedy. His story, marked by brilliance, resilience and heartbreak, reveals the complexities of a man who defied the odds yet struggled to escape the shadows of his past.
Born on June 25, 1980, Peace was an American scholar and teacher. He attended Yale University—and graduated with honors in molecular biophysics and biochemistry. His parents were Jackie Peace and Robert Douglas. Growing up in Orange, New Jersey, which shares borders with Newark, Robert Peace lived with his mother and grandparents. He was a brilliant child in school, attended church and formed strong friendships with his neighbors.
At the age of seven, the father of Rob Peace was apprehended over an alleged murder. Following his conviction, he was imprisoned. Robert frequently visited his father during his days in prison, proving how important he was to him in life.
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The situation at home compelled his mother to work several hours mostly in school and hospital cafeterias with the aim of seeing him through school. Eventually, Rob was sent to a private middle and high school, St. Benedict’s Preparatory School. He obtained a 4.0 GPA through his academic excellence.
Also being good athletically, he captained the swimming and water polo teams. Apart from being the student body leader of the school, he also received the Presidential Award upon graduation.
Following his high school education, Robert DeShaun Peace attended Yale University, majoring in molecular biophysics and biochemistry after being sponsored by a bank executive known as Charles Cawley. As a player in the school’s club water polo team, he also co-captained the team for a period of two years.
He got a job at a cancer and infectious disease laboratory associated with the Yale Medical School while working in the dining hall as a dishwasher as well. By selling marijuana to his classmates, Rob made some cool cash. His graduation in 2002 came with honors. Notable among his roommates was Jeff Hobbs, who majored in English and hails from Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
His days in college did not stop him from getting involved in his legal battle. Rob had a belief that his father was framed by the police. Additionally, he thinks his father was not given a fair trial because of his race and poor background.
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Robert DeShaun Peace Career
Following his Yale graduation, Robert Peace became a biology teacher. He then became a water polo coach at his former high school in Newark, New Jersey. His competent efforts earned him a Teacher of the Year award. Robert did not relent in proving his father’s innocence; unfortunately, he was diagnosed with brain cancer and passed on while in custody. Rob was at the age of 26 when his father died.
Robert Peace continued with life and started a new career as a worker at Newark Liberty International Airport. He had the opportunity to travel around the world with the help of his employee standby flight benefits. After spending much time in Rio de Janeiro, Robert commenced a real estate venture—with the intention of renovating abandoned homes and improving his neighborhood following his return.
Robert DeShaun Peace Death
Robert was murdered in May 2011 when he was 30 years old. His sad incident was described by police as a deal related to drugs which went wrong. Money and marijuana were sighted by police at the scene. The person who shot him was not identified.
Rob Peace Movie
Following his sad demise, British actor, screenwriter and film director, Chiwetel Ejiofor, retold Robert Peace’s story in a 2024 movie titled ‘Rob Peace’. The movie was based on the 2014 biography ‘The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace’ which was composed by his roommate at college, Jeff Hobbs.
The ‘Rob Peace’ movie starred Jay Will, Mary J. Blige and Camila Cabello. It was made available in theaters in August 2024 and on Netflix on November 11. It became one of the Top 10 movies on the popular streaming platform within a week after it was added.
