In the heart of San Francisco, tragedy has cast a shadow over the prestigious University of California, Berkeley, as the lifeless body of Marco Troper, the beloved 19-year-old son of former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, was discovered within the confines of the campus's student residential complex.
Reports from NBC, as cited by detikINET, recount the grim discovery of Troper, found unconscious late in the afternoon. Esther Wojcicki, the grieving grandmother, confirmed the devastating news and his identity through a heartfelt Facebook post. "My beloved grandson, Marco Troper, at the age of 19, passed away yesterday. Our family is deeply shattered," expressed Esther Wojcicki.
She went on to describe Troper as the epitome of kindness, compassion, intelligence, and joy. Berkeley's Fire Department responded swiftly to the scene, attempting to resuscitate the young student. However, by the time campus police arrived, Marco had already succumbed to his fate.
A campus spokesperson reiterated that there were no signs of foul play, and an investigation into his death is currently underway. According to his grandmother, Troper had just commenced his second semester at UC Berkeley, majoring in mathematics.
Aside from his academic pursuits, Esther emphasized Troper's strong sense of community and friendship. "At home, he would regale us with endless tales of his life and friends at Berkeley," she reminisced.
"Marco's life was cut tragically short. We are all devastated at the thought of the countless opportunities and life experiences he will miss, and those we will miss alongside him. Marco, we love and miss you more than you'll ever know," she expressed.
Esther Wojcicki revealed her belief that her grandson's death was the result of a drug overdose. The family awaits the results of toxicology reports.
"He ingested pills, and we're unsure of their contents. One thing's for certain, they were pills. We want to prevent this from happening to another family," Esther Wojcicki asserted.
Marco's mother, Susan Diane Wojcicki, served as the CEO of YouTube from 2014 until 2023, amassing a net worth estimated at USD 765 million as of 2022.
Wojcicki played a pivotal role in the inception of Google in 1998 when she rented her garage to the company's founders. She served as Google's first marketing manager in 1999, subsequently leading the company's online advertising and video services division.
