Colin Kroll, the co-founder of Vine and HQ Trivia, has been found dead in his New York apartment at the age of 34 from a suspected drug overdose. Kroll’s girlfriend had called police after becoming concerned after being unable to get in touch with him. On checking his apartment, they discovered him unresponsive and he was pronounced dead on the scene. His body was found alongside narcotics, claimed to be cocaine and heroin, prompting the reports of an overdose. We will have to await the medical examiner’s report for the official cause of death.
Kroll co-founded the video hosting service Vine, alongside Rus Yusupov and Dom Hofmann, in 2012 before seeing it sold to Twitter for a reported $30 million later that year. Vine launched in January 2013 before being ultimately closed down in January 2017. Kroll and Yusupov later went on to form Intermedia Labs, the company behind the trivia game and app HQ Trivia.
Rus Yusupov had this to say on Twitter following his friends passing:
“So sad to hear about the passing of my friend and co-founder Colin Kroll. My thoughts & prayers go out to his loved ones. I will forever remember him for his kind soul and big heart. He made the world and internet a better place. Rest in peace, brother.”
HQ Trivia also released this statement on Twitter:
“We learned today of the passing of our friend and founder, Colin Kroll, and it’s with deep sadness that we say goodbye. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
Kroll was pronounced dead on December 16th, the story was first reported on Sunday by TMZ.
Whatever the final reason for his death, it is always sad to see someone lose their life so young. Our thoughts are with his friends and family. Rest in peace Colin.