Northwestern professor killed in 23-story fall

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. -- A Northwestern University medical professor has been killed after falling from a South Florida hotel balcony through a lower-floor glass ceiling, police said Monday.

Hollywood police spokesman Lt. Osvaldo Perez identified the victim as 46-year-old Dr. Piotr Kulesza of Chicago. The Northwestern faculty guide lists Kulesza as a professor of pathology.

Police say Kulesza fell just after midnight Sunday from a 23rd-floor balcony through the glass ceiling at the seaside Westin Diplomat hotel.

Perez says investigators have so far uncovered no evidence of foul play. They are trying to determine if the fall was an accident or intentional.

A statement from Northwestern said that Kulesza, who was known as Peter, was attending a conference at the hotel and has been a professor at the university since 2009. A native of Warsaw, Poland, Kulesza previously served on the faculties of Johns Hopkins University and the University of Alabama.

Dr. William Muller, director of Northwestern's pathology department, said Kulesza was an "ambitious researcher" who was director of a cancer pathology center at the university.

"Peter was a remarkable colleague who will be remembered for his infectious enthusiasm and energy," Muller said. "He will be sorely missed."

A memorial service will be held in the near future.