World · North America · 12 hrs ago
Visitor from Brazil killed by roof debris at Taliesin West
A roof panel struck and killed a visitor at Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona, last week during a guided tour.
The visitor, Rogério Renato Mateucci, was a Brazilian university rector visiting the United States for an event at Arizona State University.
Police are investigating the death as a weather-related accident after high winds blew part of a roof loose.
Taliesin West is closed to the public until further notice, and the foundation has not said when tours will resume.
Built in 1937, the site was architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and studio and later became an architecture school.
Its acrylic roof panels replaced earlier canvas roofs and were found to be nearing the end of their serviceable life.
The foundation has been developing plans to replace the panels, but it has not said what safety measures it will take before reopening.
Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona, remains closed after visitor Rogério Renato Mateucci died when a roof fragment struck him during a tour.
Mateucci, 55, was from Brazil and was rector of the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná.
The accident happened on 16 October during high winds, and police are investigating it as weather-related.
A colleague questioned how the roofing was attached and called for safety measures, while the foundation has not detailed plans for reopening or safety work.
The sources give different wind-gust figures for the day: 32 mph and up to 38 mph.
- Who
- Rogério Renato Mateucci, a 55-year-old Brazilian visitor and rector of the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná.
- What
- He died after a fragment of roofing struck him during a walking tour.
- When
- 16 October, in the afternoon.
- Where
- Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona.
- Why
- Police are investigating the death as a weather-related accident; the fragment came loose during high winds.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Mateucci was struck by a roof fragment during a walking tour and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation closed Taliesin West to the public until further notice.
The property remained temporarily closed while police investigated the death.
- Visitor
- Rogério Renato Mateucci, 55
- Accident date
- 16 October
- Location
- Taliesin West, Scottsdale, Arizona
- Wind gusts
- 32 mph, according to The Art Newspaper; up to 38 mph, according to AP
- Property history
- Established in 1937 as Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and studio
- Closure
- Closed to the public until further notice
3 sources
What people are saying
I don’t think that there is money being funnelled into the proper channels to ensure that the building is safe.
The foundation extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the individual who died following an accident at Taliesin West,