BERKELEY, Calif. (Diya TV) — Marco Troper, the 19-year-old son of former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, was discovered deceased in his dorm room at the University of California, Berkeley, prompting speculation of a possible drug overdose, according to statements from both local officials and the student’s family.
Esther Wojcicki, Marco’s grandmother and a renowned American journalist, confirmed the tragic news in a Facebook post, expressing profound devastation over the loss. Troper, aged 19, was a student at UC Berkeley, pursuing a major in math during his second semester.
The incident unfolded on February 13 when campus authorities responded to reports of an unresponsive student at the Clark Kerr Campus housing complex. Despite efforts by the Berkeley Fire Department to administer life-saving measures, Troper was pronounced dead at the scene.
While foul play is not suspected, an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Troper’s death remains ongoing. Meanwhile, his family awaits the results of a toxicology report to shed light on the cause of death, with suspicions pointing towards a drug-related incident.
Troper’s untimely passing casts a shadow over the Wojcicki family, who are deeply rooted in Silicon Valley’s tech landscape. Susan Wojcicki’s tenure as CEO of YouTube, a subsidiary of Google, brought her widespread recognition, while his aunt, Anne Wojcicki, co-founded the genetic testing company 23andMe.
With Marco Troper’s tragic demise, the family vows to advocate for greater awareness and prevention of substance abuse, aiming to spare other families from similar heartbreaks. His grandmother, Esther Wojcicki, described him as a kind, loving, and intelligent individual, deeply cherished by his family and peers.
