BERKELEY, California – The 19-year-old son of former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki was tragically found dead at the University of California, Berkeley, leaving his family and the community in shock. Marco Troper, a student at the Clark Kerr Campus, was discovered unresponsive in his student housing complex on Tuesday afternoon.
The victim’s grandmother, Esther Wojcicki, confirmed the devastating news in a heartfelt post on Facebook. She described Marco as a kind, loving, and intelligent young man who had been just getting started in his second semester of his freshman year at UC Berkeley, where he was majoring in math and thoroughly enjoying his studies. In addition to excelling academically, he had a strong network of friends both in his dorm and in his fraternity.
The Berkeley Fire Department and the University of California Police Department responded to the scene, with efforts to save the student’s life ultimately proving unsuccessful. An investigation into the cause of death is currently underway, but UC Berkeley spokesperson Janet Gilmore has stated that there are no indications of foul play.
Despite the lack of a confirmed cause of death, Esther Wojcicki has expressed her belief that her grandson may have died from a drug overdose. She emphasized the family’s mission to prevent such tragedies from happening to others and their desire to raise awareness about the dangers of drug use.
The heartbreaking loss of Marco Troper has left a profound impact on his family, friends, and the entire UC Berkeley community. The circumstances surrounding his passing serve as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with substance abuse, prompting a call for greater awareness and support for those struggling with addiction issues.
As the investigation continues, the UC Berkeley community mourns the loss of a promising young student and seeks to honor his memory by raising awareness of the importance of addressing drug-related issues on college campuses.