What was supposed to be a legal visit tied to family matters turned into a horrifying tragedy for a UC Berkeley professor.
Przemyslaw Jeziorski, a respected academic and beloved father, was gunned down in broad daylight in a quiet Athens suburb, shaking both his family and academic community to the core.
Cold-Blooded Shooting Near Ex-Wife’s Home
Jeziorski, 43, was in Greece to attend a child custody hearing.
He was outside the home of his ex-wife — where she lives with their two children — when he was ambushed.
According to Greek police, a masked gunman approached and shot him five times in the chest and neck.
It happened so quickly that Jeziorski died at the scene before help could arrive.
Witnesses described the shooter as tall and athletic. After the attack, he fled on foot.
Haunting security footage has since emerged showing a car nearby, believed to be waiting for the gunman.
Authorities in Greece are actively investigating, but so far, the suspect has not been identified or captured.
A Life Built on Knowledge and Dedication
Originally from Poland, Jeziorski had built an impressive academic life in the United States.
He earned his PhD in Economic Analysis and Policy from Stanford and taught at top institutions, including Johns Hopkins University and UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, where he worked for eight years.
He wasn’t just a professor. He was also an innovative researcher whose work attracted funding from notable sources like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
His areas of expertise ranged from marketing science to data analytics, and he was a favorite among students, having mentored over 1,500 graduate and doctoral candidates throughout his career.
Family Devastated and Fighting for Justice
Jeziorski’s brother, Łukasz, spoke out on a crowdfunding page hosted by WhyDonate, describing the family’s heartbreak.
He shared that legal battles now span three countries — Greece, Poland, and the U.S. — and the costs are piling up.
“Our family is heartbroken,” he wrote. “We are doing everything we can to ensure that justice is served.”
As of Monday morning, the fundraiser had brought in over €49,000 (more than $58,000) to help support the family’s legal efforts.
An Emotional Response from Colleagues and Students
The academic world is also reeling from the news.
Berkeley Haas Dean Jennifer Chatman released a heartfelt statement, calling Jeziorski a “beloved member” of the faculty.
She noted that while the investigation is ongoing, the community’s focus is on supporting one another through the shock and grief.
Another colleague, Zsolt Katona, remembered Jeziorski fondly, sharing a photo that he said captured the professor’s mischievous smile.
“The Marketing Group and the entire Haas Community are mourning this tragic loss,” he wrote.
His Ex-Wife Cooperates as Investigators Search for Answers
Jeziorski’s ex-wife, who moved back to Greece with their children six years ago, has been cooperating with police.
She reportedly told investigators she couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to harm him, adding another layer of mystery to the motive behind the attack.
A Legacy Beyond the Lecture Hall
Beyond teaching, Jeziorski was also a co-founder of Keybee, a startup linked to UC Berkeley’s Skydesk that helps manage short-term rental properties using data-driven strategies.
He had worked with global companies including Microsoft, Mastercard, and MIC Tanzania as a consultant.
Despite his academic stature and business ventures, he lived simply — in a one-bedroom high-rise condo in San Francisco, valued at $830,000 according to public records.
Questions Remain, but the Mourning Has United Many
The shock of Jeziorski’s murder has reverberated far beyond Athens.
It’s united former students, colleagues, and family members in grief — and in the determination to seek justice.
For now, his loved ones are left with more questions than answers, and a community is grappling with the loss of someone who had so much more to give.