A family disconcerted by the death of an American teacher in Iraq

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

Police in Sulaimaniyah, Iraq, said Peter Choi, 35, had died after using a plastic pipe to try to get up from his neighbor's apartment on the ground floor and downstairs. bring back to his, which was at a higher level.

Residents of the sixth floor housing were not at home at that time, according to local police captain Sarkoat Mohammed, who added that it was unclear what had motivated the actions of Choi.

The college lecturer died of his injuries on Saturday.

James Choi, 38, told NBC News that he was having trouble understanding his brother's death and asked if there could be a criminal act.

"I do not understand why he would do that," said James Choi. "It was a very cautious person."

James Choi said that his brother was preparing to return to the United States after his last semester at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani, where he had been teaching university English during the last five years.

Peter Choi planned to live with James Choi and his family in Tacoma, Washington State.

"I was in touch with him everyday," said James Choi. "He talked about it all the time, he was so excited about it."

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

"Pete had the biggest heart, he was the greatest person in the world," said James Choi. "He's the kind of person this should not happen."