Brazilian Tourist Fatally Struck by Roofing Material at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West

A tragic accident occurred last week at Taliesin West, an architectural landmark in Scottsdale, Arizona, designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Rogério Renato Mateucci, a 55-year-old rector from the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná in Brazil, was killed around 2 p.m. on Friday when strong winds dislodged a piece of roofing material, which struck him in the head during a walking tour.

The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation announced that Taliesin West, built in 1937, is currently closed to the public. Joe Spector, the foundation’s CEO, expressed his deepest condolences to Mateucci’s family while the Scottsdale Police Department confirmed the incident, noting it was weather-related with no foul play suspected. The university canceled classes in mourning as they acknowledged Mateucci’s passion for the arts and his positive impact on the community.