Vine and HQ Trivia co-founder Colin Kroll has been found dead in his New York flat at the age of 34.
Colin Kroll was found by police after his girlfriend reportedly asked them to check on him.
An HQ spokesperson confirmed the death of the CEO “with deep sadness”.
HQ Trivia app, a live trivia game on mobiles, became hugely popular, although its appeal waned this year.
NYPD officers went to Colin Kroll’s flat in Manhattan to carry out a welfare check and found his body along with drugs paraphernalia nearby, TMZ reported in the initial media coverage of his death.
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The HQ statement read: “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.”
The company confirmed Colin Kroll’s age after police had initially said 35.
Alan Kroll, Colin’s father, told the NewYork Times: “He had so much talent and had accomplished so much at such a young age. It truly is a waste.”
Colin Kroll co-founded HQ Trivia with Rus Yusupov, who paid tribute on Twitter: “So sad to hear about thepassing of my friend and co-founder Colin Kroll. My thoughts & prayers goout 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 was launched in the US in 2017 and Colin Kroll was appointed CEO this September.
The free app live-streams quiz shows, with a pot of money – often thousands of dollars – available to split between winners.
The quiz show was guest-hosted by some big names, from Jimmy Kimmel to Bert from Sesame Street.
HQ’s popularity faded this year, dropping out of the App Store’s list of top 100 apps.
Colin Kroll was also a co-founder of Vine, a six-second video streaming service that was bought out by Twitter in 2012 for $30 million.
Vine announced in December 2016 that Twitter was discontinuing the mobile app.
