Fox 5 Films: Robert Peace
Alison Morris brings you the story of the tragic life and death of Robert Peace.
NEW YORK – Within the shadowy confines of a Newark basement, the life of Robert Peace—an Ivy League graduate—was cruelly extinguished. Yet, his narrative extends far beyond this tragic endpoint.
In April 2016, FOX 5 NY unveiled the poignant tapestry of Robert Peace’s life, an intricate blend of extraordinary highs and devastating lows.
Brought to the silver screen in 2024’s *Rob Peace*, with the nuanced performance by Chiwetel Ejiofor, alongside talents like Jay Will, Mary J. Blige, and Camila Cabello, Peace’s odyssey is based on Jeff Hobbs’ acclaimed tome, “The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace.” It navigates the tumultuous waters between an aspiring scholar’s ambitions and the heartbreaking reality of his father’s incarceration.
Following its theatrical release in August 2024, the film has swiftly ascended into the upper echelons of Netflix’s Top 10 movies, a testament to its compelling narrative, achieving this within a mere week of its November 11 debut on the platform.
Herein lies his story.
Rob Peace’s life: A Child with Promise
Born on June 25, 1980, amidst the urban pressures of East Orange, New Jersey, Robert DeShaun Peace—known as Rob—entwined his fate with the challenges and nuances of his upbringing, raised by his mother, Jackie, following his parents’ separation.
“I vividly recall the day Shaun returned home from the hospital,” reflected his uncle, Dante Peace. “He was a little bundle. My sister was overjoyed.”
From his earliest days, Rob radiated an intelligence that was almost otherworldly. “By the age of two or three, he was pondering topics far beyond his years,” noted Dante with a sense of wonder.
The specter of his father’s absence loomed large when Skeet was imprisoned for a horrifying double homicide when Rob was just seven. The repercussions were deeply felt.
Convicted in the tragic deaths of Charlene and Estella Moore, Skeet’s life sentence cast a long shadow. Despite the barriers, Rob consistently visited his father, forging a connection that endured until he came of age. Skeet, in his own confined world, remained committed to his son’s education, calling home regularly to discuss Rob’s academic progress.
“He checked in daily, ensuring Rob was on top of his homework,” recounted Uncle Dante. “His intelligence echoed through Rob.”
“I had no idea how profoundly he felt his father’s absence,” shared childhood companion Jason Delpeche. Yet, amid adversity, Rob stood out, unashamedly embracing his “geeky” persona. “He had this infectious confidence, an unwavering presence that drew everyone in,” Delpeche reminisced.
Rob Peace at St. Benedict’s Prep
In 1994, Rob embarked on his high school journey at St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, a nurturing environment for young men hailing from single-parent households. “Many of these boys come from homes where fathers are absent due to incarceration,” explained Father Edwin Leahy, shedding light on the struggles faced by students in 2016.
At St. Benedict’s, Rob flourished—not only academically but also athletically, emerging as a leader among peers and excelling in the niche sport of water polo, breaking typical molds of representation. “He was passionate and remarkably talented,” praised Father Leahy.
However, beneath this veneer of success, Rob wrestled with the shadows of his internal strife, resorting to marijuana as a means to battle his demons.
Water polo coach Glenn Cassidy recounted a poignant moment: “Rob exploded in an emotional outburst, questioning the absence of his father: ‘I haven’t had a father all these years. Why would I need one now?’”
Rob Peace at Yale: Promise and Pressure
With a scholarship from St. Benedict’s alumnus Charles Cawley, Rob seamlessly transitioned to Yale University in 1998, majoring in molecular biophysics and biochemistry, a field notoriously selective.
While at Yale, Rob continued his streak of excellence, but the pressure mounted; in an ironic twist, he began selling marijuana as a means to navigate the social landscape. Secrets weighed heavily on him even as he cultivated a vibrant social life and joined the prestigious Elihu secret society.
Ernie Gonzalez, now a psychiatrist and Rob’s Yale acquaintance, theorizes that Rob’s relentless networking distracted him from confronting his inner turmoil.
“Rob felt an immense burden to conform to an image of strength and popularity,” Gonzalez articulated, encapsulating the duality of his experience.
Rob Peace’s Murder
Post-graduation in 2002, Rob attempted to carve a niche in Newark as a teacher, a coach, and real estate professional, all while grappling with financial instability and deep-rooted trauma.
Tragically, in May 2011, Rob’s life was abruptly severed during a botched drug deal in a basement, an incident marred with violence.
Cash and cannabis littered the scene, yet the identity of his assailant remains shrouded in mystery. Rob was just 30 years old.
A Legacy That Resonates
In the aftermath of Rob’s untimely demise, Hobbs found himself in the arena of ethical scrutiny, faced with inquiries about the motivation behind his book.
“People would question, ‘How can you claim there’s a positive takeaway from the story of a man so gifted who succumbed to his poor choices?’” Hobbs reflected on the grim discourse.
Describing Rob’s journey as a classical tragedy, Father Leahy noted the stark contrast of brilliance cut short by fate.
“It’s undeniably tragic when anyone of that age lost their life as he did, but the truth is… every life lost holds its own tragedy—just like the faceless individual who dies on 11th Street,” he pondered.
“The aim was to encounter him through his story, embracing his friendship, and perhaps, feeling a lasting impact,” Hobbs expressed. “Every life bears significance. Rob did not solely require a biographical account for his existence to matter.”
