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The California professor who was brutally murdered in broad daylight had always hoped to visit his hometown in Poland with his two children, his family has disclosed.
Przemyslaw Jeziorski, 43, was tragically shot five times in the chest and neck at close range by a masked assailant outside his ex-wife’s residence in an Athens suburb on July 4.
The beloved father died at the scene while the suspect fled on foot, police said.
Over a week after his brother’s death, Łukasz Jeziorski and his family, struggling to come to terms with the tragic loss, described him as a devoted family man.
‘He cared about his family. He fought for them until the end,’ Łukasz told the Daily Mail of his brother, a highly-decorated educator who lived in San Francisco.
‘He wanted to bring his children to his hometown of Gdynia, Poland, as he did every year. He planned a trip to Disneyland in Paris. He was very family-oriented and friendly.’
The grieving brother admired the UC Berkeley professor, and said they ‘were like twins’ despite their four-year age difference.
‘We understood each other without words,’ he added. ‘We had the same interests; we both listened to metal music and watched the same movies and TV shows. We went on trips around the world together every year.’
Przemyslaw Jeziorski, 43, the UC Berkeley professor who was executed in broad daylight on the streets of Greece on July 4, always dreamed of bringing his two children to his hometown in Poland
Greek police are actively investigating Jeziorski’s death and trying to hunt down the suspect
Łukasz also detailed how his brother was so passionate about achieving the American dream, as he always wanted to live in the US.
At the time of his death, Jeziorski lived in a $830,000 one-bedroom, one-bathroom high-rise condo in San Francisco, according to public records.
‘He fulfilled that dream last year. My mother and I were supposed to go to his place this year; he was very keen on it,’ the brother said.
‘This death and the circumstances surrounding it are impossible to accept. It will be very difficult for us.’
The shooter has been described by witnesses as a tall man with an athletic build.
Greek police are actively investigating Jeziorski’s death and have launched a manhunt to catch the killer.
The Daily Mail contacted the U.S. Embassy in Greece for more information.
Jeziorski’s ex-wife, who met him in the US, returned to Greece six years ago after their divorce, her lawyer told Ta Nea daily.
His ex-wife worked with investigators and gave a statement to police, the outlet reported.
His brother, Łukasz Jeziorski (pictured), admired his older brother, and said they ‘were like twins’ despite their four year age difference
Łukasz (pictured) also detailed how his brother was so passionate about achieving the American dream, as he always wanted to live in San Francisco
She told local media that she did not know of anyone who would want to harm him.
Haunting footage, obtained by Ta Nea daily, showed a car waiting for the shooter near the scene.
Jeziorski earned his prestigious PhD from Stanford, was awarded thousands in grants for his research, including from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
He studied at the SGH Warsaw School of Economics, the University of Chicago, the University of Arizona and Stanford University, where he got his PhD in Economic Analysis and Policy.
He previously taught at Johns Hopkins University and was a research intern at Microsoft as well.
He’s published in numerous ‘top-tier academic journals,’ and mentored more than 1,500 MBC and PhD students during his teaching career.
He was also a co-founder of Keybee, a start-up for UC Berkeley’s Skydesk, ‘that provides a data-driven solution to managing thousands of short-term rentals,’ including popular sites like Airbnb, Vrbo and Booking.com.
Jeziorski also consulted with many big-name companies, including Microsoft, Mastercard, MIC Tanzania, and more.
Berkeley Haas Dean Jennifer Chatman also released a statement following his tragic death.
‘We are heartbroken by news of the tragic and sudden death of Professor Przemyslaw Jeziorski, a beloved member of our marketing faculty and Haas community,’ she told ABC 7 News.
His ex-wife said she did not know of anyone who would want to harm him. (Pictured: A bullet casing at the scene)
Jeziorski’s ex-wife, who met him in the US, returned to Greece six years ago after their divorce, her lawyer told Ta Nea daily
The UC Berkeley (pictured) business professor worked at the university’s Haas School of Business for eight years
Jeziorski’s brother created a fundraiser on WhyDonate – the European version of GoFundMe to help the family ‘pursue legal action and support ongoing investigations’ related to his murder.
‘Our family is heartbroken, and we are doing everything we can to ensure that justice is served,’ Łukasz wrote.
As of Monday afternoon, more than €50,200, or more than $58,500, was raised to help them.
A colleague of his, Zsolt Katona, also paid tribute to the late professor.
‘It is with incredible sadness that I share the news that our beloved colleague, Przemyslaw (Przemek) Jeziorski passed away last Friday while traveling in Greece,’ Katona wrote.
‘The Marketing Group and the entire Haas Community are mourning this tragic loss. I wanted to share this picture that is so characteristic of him, I will never forget his mischievous smile.
‘Rest in Peace, Przemek,’ Katona added.
