In a heartbreaking turn of events, the 19-year-old son of former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki was discovered deceased at UC Berkeley, reportedly due to a drug overdose, as revealed by his grandmother, Esther Wojcicki. The distressing news became public knowledge recently, though Wojcicki had shared the devastating news on Facebook a few days prior, expressing profound grief over the loss of her beloved grandson, Marco Troper. In her post, Wojcicki said, “Tragedy hit my family yesterday. My beloved grandson Marco Troper, age 19 passed away yesterday. Our family is devastated beyond comprehension. Marco was the most kind, loving, smart, fun and beautiful human being. He was just getting started on his second semester of his freshman year at UC Berkeley majoring in math and was truly loving it. He had a strong community of friends from his dorm at Stern Hall and his fraternity Zeta Psi and was thriving academically. At home, he would tell us endless stories of his life and friends at Berkeley.”
Janet Gilmore, a spokesperson for UC Berkeley, confirmed that there were no indications of foul play and that an investigation into Marco’s passing is ongoing.
Esther Wojcicki lamented her grandson’s untimely death, attributing it to the experimentation common among college students, particularly freshmen and sophomores. She emphasized that Marco had ingested a substance whose composition remains unknown. Wojcicki relinquished her role as CEO of the Alphabet-owned subsidiary a year ago, citing a desire to focus on her family, health, and personal endeavors. Since then, Neal Mohan has assumed leadership of YouTube.
Many admired Wojcicki’s tenure as CEO and her ability to balance her demanding professional responsibilities with motherhood. Despite the challenges, Wojcicki embraced both roles enthusiastically, viewing her children and career as rewarding endeavors.
The Wojcicki family, renowned in Silicon Valley, includes notable figures such as Anne Wojcicki, CEO of 23andMe, Janet Wojcicki, a professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, and their mother, Esther Wojcicki, a respected educator.
In the wake of this tragedy, Esther Wojcicki expressed a desire to raise awareness about the dangers of substance abuse, hoping to spare other families from similar heartache. She stressed the importance of supporting one another through difficult times and taking proactive measures to prevent future tragedies.
Undoubtedly, Marco’s passing has sparked crucial conversations about drug safety and the fragility of life. As parents, it’s essential to remind our children of the risks associated with substance abuse and to cherish every moment together, recognizing that no one is immune to life’s uncertainties.