What was meant to be a summer filled with family memories has turned into heartbreak for the loved ones of UC Berkeley professor Przemyslaw Jeziorski.
The 43-year-old was in Greece earlier this month, planning to spend time with his two children—and perhaps even squeeze in a magical trip to Disneyland Paris.
Instead, his life was tragically cut short in a broad daylight shooting that has stunned both his family and academic peers.
Gunned Down in Athens While Visiting His Children
Jeziorski was fatally shot five times—targeted in the chest and neck—just outside his ex-wife’s home in a quiet suburb of Athens on July 4.
The gunman, masked and described as tall and athletic, escaped on foot before police arrived.
Authorities in Greece have launched a manhunt as they continue investigating the horrifying attack.
The professor was in the country to attend a custody hearing involving his two children, who live with his ex-wife.
She has reportedly cooperated with police and claimed she has no knowledge of anyone who would wish him harm.
Surveillance footage also showed a car waiting nearby—believed to be connected to the shooter.
His Brother Remembers a Man Full of Love and Plans
For Przemyslaw’s younger brother Łukasz, the loss is overwhelming.
He described their bond as unbreakable—”like twins,” he said—even though they were four years apart.
They shared a passion for metal music, the same shows, and even globe-trotting adventures.
Łukasz recalled how his brother had always dreamed of living in the U.S., a dream he finally achieved.
He had settled in San Francisco in a modern $830,000 high-rise condo and hoped to bring his children to visit his hometown of Gdynia, Poland, this summer.
“He cared about his family. He fought for them until the end,” Łukasz said.
“It’s impossible to accept what’s happened.”
A Brilliant Academic Career Cut Short
Jeziorski wasn’t just a father and a brother—he was also a rising star in academia.
A Stanford PhD graduate, he had been a part of UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business for years and previously taught at Johns Hopkins.
Over his career, he mentored more than 1,500 students and published research in leading journals.
He also co-founded a data-driven rental startup, Keybee, under UC Berkeley’s Skydesk program, providing solutions for platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com.
His impressive resume included collaborations with major companies such as Microsoft and Mastercard.
Grants from prestigious funders like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation had supported his work.
The UC Berkeley Community Pays Tribute
The shock of his death reverberated through the Berkeley campus.
Haas Dean Jennifer Chatman expressed heartbreak over the “tragic and sudden” loss. His colleague Zsolt Katona remembered his “mischievous smile” and the vibrant energy Jeziorski brought to the faculty.
“The entire Haas community is mourning this tragic loss,” Katona wrote.
Family Launches Fundraiser to Pursue Justice
Back in Europe, his family is determined to seek answers.
Łukasz has started a fundraiser through WhyDonate, a European crowdfunding platform, to help cover legal expenses related to the investigation in Greece, as well as future proceedings in Poland and the U.S.
“Our family is heartbroken, and we are doing everything we can to ensure that justice is served,” he wrote.
As of Monday afternoon, donations had surpassed €50,000—more than $58,500.
A Life Full of Promise, Silenced Too Soon
Przemyslaw Jeziorski spent his life chasing knowledge, giving back through teaching, and planning joyful moments with his kids.
Now, his loved ones are left piecing together how a man so full of life and purpose could be the victim of such a brutal crime.
As investigations continue, his family—and the many students and colleagues who admired him—are united in one hope: that justice will be found, and his legacy will live on.