# Fatal accident at Taliesin West in Arizona

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/fatal-accident-at-taliesin-west-in-arizona
> Updated: 2026-10-24T11:20:00.000Z. Sources: 28. Developments: 3.

Rogério Renato Mateucci, the 55-year-old rector of the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), died following an accident at the Taliesin West architectural complex in Scottsdale, Arizona, on October 16. While on a professional mission to visit Arizona State University, Mateucci was struck in the head by a piece of acrylic roofing that was torn off by strong wind gusts during a guided tour. 

The Scottsdale Police Department and Fire Department reported that the impact caused immediate death and stated there is no suspicion of criminal activity, treating the event as a weather-related accident. The National Weather Service recorded wind gusts of up to 32 miles per hour at the time. 

Following the incident, Taliesin West temporarily closed to the public. PUCPR and the Marist Brothers Congregation declared official mourning, suspending university classes and administrative activities in Curitiba, Londrina, and Toledo. 

Mateucci, a veteran educator with 26 years of experience, had been serving his first term as rector since 2022 and was slated for a second term. Vice-rector Vidal Martins stated that the university is organizing the repatriation of the body, which is expected to arrive in Brazil by October 30 once international legal requirements are met.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-24: PUC-PR Rector Rogério Renato Mateucci dies in Arizona accident

PUC-PR Rector Rogério Renato Mateucci died in Arizona after being struck by an object dislodged by strong winds during a visit to the Taliesin West historical site.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/puc-pr-rector-rogrio-renato-mateucci-dies-in-arizona-accident

### 2026-10-19: Taliesin West closes following fatal accident in Arizona

Taliesin West in Arizona has closed temporarily after Rogério Renato Mateucci, rector of the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, was killed by wind-dislodged roofing during a walking tour.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taliesin-west-closes-following-fatal-accident-in-arizona

### 2026-10-17: PUCPR Rector Rogério Mateucci dies in Arizona accident

PUCPR Rector Rogério Renato Mateucci, 55, died in Scottsdale, Arizona, after being struck by an acrylic roof piece torn off by wind during a tour of Taliesin West. The university has suspended classes.

21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pucpr-rector-rogrio-renato-mateucci-dies-in-us-accident

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Cite as: Fatal accident at Taliesin West in Arizona. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/fatal-accident-at-taliesin-west-in-arizona