Spanky, from the documentary series “Last Chance High,” unfortunately passed away. He was shot and killed in Chicago not long after the series was filmed.
The series “Last Chance High” aired on Vice and chronicled the lives of students at the Moses Montefiore Academy, a school in Chicago for at-risk youth. Spanky, whose real name was Cortez Alexander, was one of the students featured, and his struggles with life in a violent neighborhood were a central part of his story on the show.
After the series ended, the harsh realities of the environment that many of the students were trying to escape caught up with Spanky. In 2014, at the age of 15, he was shot multiple times in what was reported as a gang-related incident. His death highlighted the ongoing issues of gang violence and the challenges faced by young people in some of Chicago’s most troubled areas.
Spanky’s story and the stories of other students at Montefiore Academy brought attention to the critical need for supportive and safe environments for young people. The series aimed to shed light on the systemic issues that contribute to the cycles of violence and poverty, and the tragic end to Spanky’s life underscored the urgency of these issues.