Death of UC Berkeley professor takes new tun as squatters take over home left to twins
The tragic death of University of California, Berkeley professor Przemyslaw Jeziorski in a violent custody dispute in Greece has left behind grieving family members and 11-year-old twin children. His ex-wife, Nadia Michelidaki, who was involved in the custody dispute, later died by suicide in a Greek prison. The boyfriend of Jeziorski’s ex-wife confessed to the killing, adding another layer of grief and tragedy to the situation.
In the midst of this heartbreaking situation, Jeziorski’s family is facing a separate battle in California to remove alleged squatters from his East Bay home. The property, which was previously used as an Airbnb rental, is now occupied by individuals who have refused to leave despite multiple eviction attempts.
According to court records, the occupants claim they signed a one-year lease with Michelidaki and paid $30,000 upfront. However, the family’s attorney, Erinne Stratte, disputes this claim, stating that Michelidaki was in custody at the time the lease was allegedly signed.
Berkeley police were called to the property in December after reports of a break-in and possible squatting. Despite eviction notices and ongoing court proceedings, the occupants have remained in the home. The family has also alleged that belongings from the home have been seen being sold at yard sales, though these claims have not been independently verified.
The legal dispute is complicated by California law, which often treats long-term occupants as civil tenants rather than immediate trespassers. This can lead to lengthy legal battles in civil eviction court, making it challenging for property owners to quickly remove occupants even in cases where ownership or lease validity is disputed.
Jeziorski’s brother, Lukasz Jeziorski, is now caring for the professor’s twin children while continuing to pay the mortgage on the Berkeley home, which the children are expected to inherit. He has expressed frustration with the situation, stating that the squatters are “stealing from the two orphans.”
Efforts to adjust state law, such as SB 1303, have been made to streamline parts of the eviction process and speed up the removal of unauthorized occupants in residential cases. Law enforcement is also becoming more willing to pursue criminal trespass charges in cases involving break-ins, forced entry, or fake leases.
The tragic events surrounding Jeziorski’s death and the ongoing battle to remove squatters from his home highlight the complexities of property disputes and the challenges faced by property owners in navigating legal processes to protect their rights.
