Yuri was born around the year 1980 in Astoria, New York City.[1] Her father, a second generation cop, was imprisoned for taking bribes from the Maggia criminal organization. Her father's fall from grace pushed her to join the police force, with the goal of taking down the Maggia.

Yuri started out as a detective in the Chinatown branch of the NYPD, but changed precincts several times during her time in the police force.