UPDATE: A shocking murder case unfolds in Athens as a UC Berkeley professor, Przemyslaw Jeziorski, was fatally shot on the morning of July 4, 2023, while en route to pick up his children. Police report he was ambushed in broad daylight, gunned down multiple times by a masked assailant, later identified as his ex-wife’s new partner.
Authorities have confirmed the suspect’s motive: to prevent Jeziorski from taking custody of their children. In a leaked confession, he stated, “I did it all for (her) and our children so that we could have a normal life without problems.” This chilling admission has sent shockwaves through both the academic community and Jeziorski’s family.
The incident occurred in a typically quiet suburban neighborhood of Athens, where eyewitnesses rushed to assist Jeziorski, but he succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Police recovered seven bullet casings, indicating a brutal attack. The suspect, arrested 12 days later, faces charges of premeditated murder alongside three alleged accomplices, including one minor.
This case has drawn widespread media attention, particularly due to the extensive leaks of police statements, verified by senior police sources. These revelations shed light on the alleged murder plot and raise unsettling questions about the involvement of Jeziorski’s ex-wife, who is currently under investigation for potential moral complicity in the crime. Her lawyer has strenuously denied any wrongdoing.
Jeziorski, 43, known affectionately as PJ, was a beloved marketing professor at the University of California, Berkeley, with a reputation for inspiring over 1,500 graduate students during his 13-year tenure. He was a leading expert in quantitative marketing and had a bright future ahead, but the custody battle with his ex-wife, a Greek national, had reportedly escalated tensions.
Friends and family describe Jeziorski as a dedicated father and brilliant academic. “He was one of the sharpest people I’ve ever met,” said Robert Kowalski, a close friend. The victim’s brother, Łukasz Jeziorski, expressed the family’s heartbreak and gratitude to Greek police for their swift action in apprehending the suspects.
The custody battle between Jeziorski and his ex-wife had been contentious, with Jeziorski recently receiving a court ruling allowing him to take the children to the U.S. for a month. The suspect’s confession reveals he had been plotting Jeziorski’s murder for over a month, claiming he feared losing the children entirely.
As the investigation continues, the five suspects are set to appear in court on July 10, 2023, for their initial plea. The court will decide whether they will be held in custody pending trial. Meanwhile, Jeziorski’s children, aged ten, are now in the care of Greek child custody authorities, while the family seeks to repatriate his remains to Poland.
The case is poised to become a high-profile trial, with conflicting testimonies from the alleged accomplices fueling speculation about the full extent of the conspiracy. “My client is devastated,” said the suspect’s lawyer, hinting at a possible psychiatric evaluation due to prior mental health issues.
As this tragic story continues to unfold, the impact on Jeziorski’s family, friends, and the academic community is profound. The world watches closely as details emerge, reflecting a heartbreaking intersection of family, love, and violence.
The UC Berkeley community mourns the loss of a cherished faculty member, while the legal proceedings are expected to reveal more about the motivations behind this heinous act. Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story progresses.
