Colin Kroll, the co-creator of Vine and the wildly popular game app HQ Trivia, has died of a suspected drug overdose in New York City.
A representative for the New York City Police Department told CNBC that shortly after midnight, a 35-year-old male was discovered in his Lower Manhattan apartment. Upon entering, authorities found the person unresponsive in his bedroom.
The NYPD declined to name the deceased pending family notification, but an HQ Trivia spokesperson confirmed to CNBC that Kroll died. According to published reports, Kroll’s girlfriend hadn’t heard from him, and contacted authorities in order to perform a welfare check. Cocaine and heroin were also found on the premises, those reports said.
“We learned today of the passing of our friend and founder, Colin Kroll, and it’s with deep sadness that we say goodbye,” HQ Trivia said in a statement provided to CNBC. “Our thoughts go out to his family, friends and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
Created by Kroll and Rus Yusupov, HQ Trivia is a live trivia game that streams at 9PM every day, and 3PM on weekdays. Each show features 12 questions players must answer correctly within 10 seconds to win a cash prize.
HQ Trivia was considered a viral hit when it launched last year, however recent reports suggest internal turmoil as the game’s popularity ebbed. Last month, the website Recode reported that an HQ employee filed a formal complaint against Kroll for his aggressive management style.
