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Brazilian University Rector Killed by Wind-Blown Roofing at Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West
Rogério Renato Mateucci, 55, rector of the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, was struck in the head by roofing material blown loose by strong winds during a walking tour of Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona. Police say no foul play is suspected, and the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation has closed the site to the public.
A Brazilian university rector was killed during a walking tour of Taliesin West, the Scottsdale, Arizona, landmark designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, when strong winds blew a piece of roofing material off a roof and struck him in the head, authorities said.
Rogério Renato Mateucci, 55, was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders after the accident, which occurred around 2 p.m. on Friday, according to the Scottsdale Police Department. Police said Mateucci was reportedly killed instantly and had been touring the property with other people when the material came loose.
Detectives and crime scene personnel responded to investigate, but police said no foul play is suspected in what they described as a weather-related accident. Mateucci was the rector of the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná in Brazil.
Vidal Martins, the university's vice rector, told a Phoenix television station that strong winds blew a piece of clear roofing material into the group's path, striking Mateucci in the head. Martins said Mateucci had been eager to visit the property because of his interest in art.
«He loved the arts and architecture,» Martins said, calling the incident «deeply, deeply sad» and adding, «It's hard to understand, it's hard to accept.» Martins described Mateucci as «a very kind person, someone that takes care of everybody» and «a religious man» who had a lasting impact on the community through efforts to improve the lives of those around him.
The university announced Mateucci's death on Instagram with «profound sadness.» It canceled classes at three of its campuses on Oct. 17 and 19 and suspended administrative operations on Oct. 19 as it mourned his passing.
Joe Spector, chief executive of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, extended his «deepest condolences» to Mateucci's family and loved ones. Spector said the Scottsdale Police Department is aware of the incident and that no further details would be shared out of respect for privacy and to allow officials to complete their work. The property is closed to the public until further notice, he said.
Taliesin West was built in 1937 and served as Wright's winter home and architectural studio. It is now a historic architectural landmark operated by the foundation and, according to its website, is closed to the public following the accident.
Wright, who lived from 1867 to 1959, is widely regarded as one of the most influential architects in American history. His most notable works include Fallingwater in Pennsylvania and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City.
The death of a visiting university leader has drawn attention to safety at one of the country's best-known architectural sites, where outdoor tours expose visitors to the desert elements. Police have not released further details about the roofing material or the weather conditions at the time of the accident, and the foundation has said only that the site will remain closed while officials complete their work.
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