Ex-YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki's Son Found Dead In UC Berkeley Dorm

On February 13, 2024, within the confines of a Clark Kerr campus dormitory, Marco Troper, the 19-old-son of former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki and David Troper, was discovered unresponsive. The cause of  death remains unknown, with campus police ruling out foul play. However, Troper's grandmother, Esther Wojcicki, speculates that a drug overdose may be responsible, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the substances involved.

The Discovery

On a fateful Tuesday afternoon, around 4:23 p.m. local time, Marco Troper was found unresponsive. The Berkeley Fire Department swiftly initiated life-saving measures, but tragically, their efforts were in vain, as Troper was pronounced dead shortly after. The cause of death remains unknown, with campus police ruling out foul play.

Troper's grandmother, Esther Wojcicki, speculates that her grandson succumbed to a drug overdose. In an interview with SFGATE, she revealed that Marco had ingested an unknown substance, emphasizing the family's lack of awareness regarding its composition. Despite the absence of concrete details, it is confirmed that the young student fell victim to a potent drug.

A Promising Life Cut Short

Marco Troper, a promising math major in his second semester at UC Berkeley and a member of the Zeta Psi fraternity, was remembered fondly by his family. Described as "the most kind, loving, smart, fun, and beautiful human being," Troper's life was celebrated in a touching tribute by his grandmother, Esther Wojcicki.

Susan Wojcicki, the former YouTube CEO, and David Troper, Marco's father, are left devastated by the loss of their son. In a Facebook post, Wojcicki expressed grief  the family is experiencing, noting, "Marco, we all love you and miss you more than you will ever know."

Who is Susan Wojcicki?

Susan Wojcicki, an influential figure in Silicon Valley, served as the CEO of YouTube from 2014 until February 2023. Her journey in the tech realm traces back to 1998, when Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page rented Wojcicki's garage in Menlo Park, California, to develop Google's search engine. After joining Google as employee number 16 in 1999, Wojcicki played a pivotal role in various projects, ranging from AdSense and Google Analytics to Google Books and Google Images.

Wojcicki's visionary leadership was instrumental in advocating for the $1.65 billion acquisition of YouTube in 2006. This strategic move catapulted the platform to unparalleled heights, boasting 2.5 billion monthly viewers today. Currently, Susan Wojcicki holds an advisory role within Google and its parent company, Alphabet.