The brother of an American who plunged seven stories from a balcony in Iraq said he is baffled by the fatal fall.

Police in Sulaimaniyah, Iraq, say that Peter Choi, 35, died after using a plastic hose to try to climb from his downstairs neighbor's apartment back into his own, which was a level higher.

The residents of the sixth-floor dwelling were not home at the time, according to local police Capt. Sarkoat Mohammed, who added that it was unclear what had motivated Choi's actions.

The college lecturer died from his injuries later Saturday.

James Choi, 38, told NBC News that he was struggling to comprehend his brother's death and questioned whether foul play might be involved.

"I don’t understand why he would do that," James Choi said. "He was a very cautious person."

James Choi said that his brother was getting ready to return to the United States after his final semester at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani, where he had taught academic English for the past five years.

Peter Choi was a lecturer at the the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani, where he coached the men’s basketball team. The American University of Iraq

Peter Choi was planning to live with James Choi and his family in Tacoma, Washington.

"I was in contact with him every day," James Choi said. "He talked about it all the time. He was so excited about it."

James Choi said that he was waiting for information from U.S. officials in Iraq that he hoped would answer questions about what happened to his brother.

"Pete had the biggest heart. He was the greatest person in the world," James Choi said. "He’s the kind of person this shouldn’t happen to."