On the morning of July 4, American marketing professor Przemyslaw Jeziorski was en route to his ex-wife’s home in Athens to collect their children amid an ongoing custody dispute. Tragically, Jeziorski never reached his destination; he was shot multiple times by a masked assailant in broad daylight. Despite the efforts of bystanders to help, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Twelve days later, police arrested a man identified as the ex-wife’s new partner, who reportedly confessed to the premeditated murder, stating his motive was to prevent Jeziorski from taking their children away. In subsequent police statements, which were leaked to the media, he claimed, “I did it all for (her) and our children so that we could have a normal life without problems.”
This case has bewildered many, particularly with the possible involvement of Jeziorski’s ex-wife, who is facing charges as a moral accomplice, which she denies. The fallout from the murder has stunned friends and family, who remember Jeziorski as a kind, dedicated father and esteemed academic.
Jeziorski, a 43-year-old professor at UC Berkeley, had a distinguished career, with a focus on data analytics, emerging markets, and the economics of digital markets. Born in Poland, he had relocated to the US for his studies, earning a PhD from Stanford and a reputation as a brilliant scholar.
His relationship with his ex-wife began in San Francisco, culminating in marriage in 2014, followed by the birth of their twins. However, their marriage fell apart around 2020, and a bitter custody battle ensued. Jeziorski sought to have his children attend an American school in Greece, while his ex, fearing the loss of her children, opposed this idea. In the wake of a recent court ruling that enabled Jeziorski to take the children to America for summer, the alleged murderer claimed he decided to end the “torment” he and his girlfriend faced.
Details surrounding the murder plot emerged, revealing how the suspect had already procured a pistol and coordinated with accomplices, signalling a calculated approach rather than a spontaneous act. The case is further complicated by conflicting accounts from the alleged perpetrator and accomplices, hinting at deeper motives and the role of the ex-wife.
In the wake of this tragedy, Jeziorski’s family is devastated but grateful for the swift police response. They are working towards repatriating his body to Poland while ensuring the well-being of the children, now in the care of their relatives. The courts will soon determine the future of the suspects involved, including custody arrangements for the children, as the family seeks to provide a stable environment following the upheaval they have endured.