In a heartbreaking incident, 19-year-old Marco Troper, the son of former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, was found dead in his UC Berkeley dorm. The tragedy occurred on Tuesday, and preliminary suspicions point towards a possible drug overdose, according to statements from Marco’s grandmother, Esther Wojcicki.
UC Berkeley authorities confirmed that Troper, a freshman majoring in math, was discovered unresponsive in the Clark Kerr student complex. While the cause of death is yet to be officially determined, Esther Wojcicki shared concerns about a potential accidental drug overdose. The family is awaiting a toxicology report for confirmation.
Esther Wojcicki expressed the family’s devastation on social media, stating, “Tragedy hit my family yesterday. My beloved grandson, Marco Troper, age 19, passed away yesterday. Our family is devastated beyond comprehension.” She described Marco as an all-around athlete and an avid mathematician with a promising future.
The Wojcicki family is known for their close ties to technology and media. Susan Wojcicki, a veteran at Google, served as YouTube’s CEO from 2014 to 2023. Last year, she stepped down from the leadership position to focus on family, health, and personal projects.
Troper, a Menlo School graduate, had a vibrant presence at school, excelling in mathematics and computer science. The family is now awaiting the results of the toxicology report to understand the circumstances surrounding Marco’s untimely death.
This tragic incident underscores the challenges and risks faced by college students, particularly regarding substance use. The Wojcicki family hopes that sharing their ordeal will contribute to raising awareness and preventing similar tragedies in the future.