Mark Vallas, St. Rita Alum And Son Of Ex-CPS CEO, Dies At 24

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA - Mark Vallas, a Chicago native and former St. Rita High School student, died over the weekend at a recovery home in the Los Angeles-area. Vallas was the son of former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas. He was 24.

Vallas was pronounced dead at 1 p.m. pacific time on Saturday, Feb. 24, according to a news release from the Orange County Coroner. He died at the New Existence Recovery in Huntington Beach, California. New Existence provides "a safe and orderly sober living environment for adults recovering from alcohol and drug abuse," according to its Facebook page.

Mark Vallas was a 2012 alum of St. Rita of Cascia High School on the South Side. The school released a statement in memory of their beloved alum on Monday.

"St. Rita of Cascia High School mourns the passing of Mark Vallas '12. A candle burns in perpetuity at the St. Rita Shrine for all Ritamen who have passed away. This week, it is burning especially for Mark. We offer our prayers and support to the Vallas Family."

Vallas' cause of death has not been released, and the coroner's office did not initially have any other information. Paul Vallas' brother, Dean, confirmed his nephew's death with the Chicago Sun-Times. Paul was the top official in the Chicago schools system for six years under then-Mayor Richard M. Daley.

The coroner's office says the case is still under investigation.