Masked gunman kills UC Berkeley Professor outside ex-wife's house in Athens

UPDATED: Jul 16, 2025 01:18 IST

Police in Greece are searching for the killer of a University of California, Berkeley professor who was shot dead on July 4 while visiting Athens for personal reasons, including a custody hearing involving his children.

Authorities are investigating the murder of Przemyslaw Jeziorski, 43, a renowned economist and marketing professor at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.

According to police, a masked assailant approached Jeziorski around 4:15 p.m. in the Agia Paraskevi suburb and shot him multiple times in the neck and chest. Seven 9mm bullet casings were recovered from the scene, CNN reported.

Authorities have launched a murder probe and are examining several angles, including personal relationships and the possibility of a contract killing.

“All scenarios are being considered, including the involvement of individuals close to the victim,” a senior police source told local media. No arrests have been made so far.

Witnesses reported hearing up to six gunshots and seeing a masked man in black fleeing the area. “It was deafening, like an explosion,” one eyewitness told CNN Greece.

The incident took place near the residence of his ex-wife. While she has not commented publicly, the timing and location have prompted police to consider potential motives related to the custody dispute.

Jeziorski’s family is working to bring his body back to Poland for final rites.

“Our family is heartbroken, and we are doing everything we can to ensure justice is served,” his brother, ukasz Jeziorski, said in a statement.

UC Berkeley mourned the loss, remembering him as a passionate educator who taught over 1,500 students. “He was an amazing person, friend, and colleague,” said Haas School Dean Jenny Chatman.

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