Jeffrey Cortez

Jeffrey Cortez is a supporting character and a survivor of the outbreak in Route to Paradise. He is a rather grumpy elderly man who was shopping in the Entrance Plaza when the outbreak hit Willamette. Jeffrey was quick to take charge of the situation, commanding those around him to board up the front entrance with whatever they could find. After zombies breached the entrance plaza and started to kill the shoppers inside, Jeffrey was one of the few survivors who managed to escape.

At some point after leaving the Entrance Plaza, Jeffrey made his way to the North Plaza and quickly became fiercely loyal to Leslie Staunton and her plans for Willamette Mall. He would stay loyal to Leslie right up until the very end. During the battle of the North Plaza when the survivors from the security room were clashing with Leslie and her forces, Jeffrey took up arms and defended Seon’s Supermarket from the invaders, where he was shot in the head by Dean Howards.

## **Pre-Apocalypse**

Nothing is known about Jeffrey's life prior to the outbreak.

## **Post-Apocalypse**

### **Season 1**

#### **"Welcome to Paradise"**

Jeffrey is seen walking through the Entrance Plaza of Willamette Parkview Mall doing some shopping. When a horde of zombies shows up right outside the front doors of the plaza, biting into and killing several people, Jeffrey rushes forward, yelling at everyone to close the doors. He quickly gets to the doors himself and slams them shut, continuing to bark orders at the others inside to grab whatever they can to board up the doors. At first, a horrified crowd of people stand by doing nothing, but once some of the windows begin to smash, Jacob Feldman and a few others begin assisting Jeffrey. With their help, the front doors are quickly barricaded with all sorts of objects. Jeffrey overhears Owen Gliefield commenting on the fact that the 'protestors' outside are appearing everywhere. Angered, he yells at the old man that they aren't protestors, reminding him that they bit and killed people. The old man adjusts his glasses and looks out, realizing Jeffrey was right.

As the zombies continue clawing at the windows, Jeffrey decides it'd be best if they lock themselves into this plaza for protection. He rushes off and pulls down the shutters that lead into the other plazas. Finally feeling safe, Jeffrey relaxes for a little bit, but not for long, as soon after, Kate Bloodstone, confident that they'd be able to take on the horde outside, begins tossing furniture away from the front doors before she's able to open the door, letting the zombies inside. Jeffrey curses at her and yells as the zombie horde piles inside. Jeffrey runs off in fear.

#### **"Guardian Angel"**

A day later, Jeffrey is seen walking through the North Plaza as part of Leslie Staunton's group. He notices and approaches Jacob and a couple others he recognizes from the Entrance Plaza, telling them that he is happy to see they survived.

A little while later, Jeffrey enters the gun shop, greeting the store's owner, Teddy Powell, and asking for a double-barrel shotgun. To pay for it, he sets down an expensive ring for him. Teddy happily takes it and gets the requested weapon for Jeffrey. As Jeffrey goes to leave, he bumps into Dean Howards, telling him to watch himself.

#### **"Life and Death"**

A couple days later, the North Plaza is attacked by Jacob and the security room survivors. Jeffrey takes up arms and helps to defend the North Plaza by mounting a gatling gun and opening fire on the attackers. Eventually, the gun runs out of ammo, and Jeffrey runs off to search for a new weapon.

Jeffrey continues to fight for the North Plaza even as the death toll increases. Jeffrey soon becomes one of the last people fighting for Leslie and the North Plaza, but he refuses to give up. In a desperate attempt to kill one of the attackers, he charges at William Reynes and goes to slice his throat. William pulls out his own knife and begins slicing at Jeffrey's wrists, but Jeffrey ignores the pain as he comes closer to slicing open William's neck. However, before he can, Jeffrey notices Dean Howards pointing a gun directly at him. He tries to move, but Dean fires and hits Jeffrey in the head, killing him.

## **Death**

Killed by
* Dean Howards

While defending Leslie Staunton and the North Plaza, Jeffrey attacks William Reynes and tries to kill him. Before he can do so, Jeffrey is shot in head by Dean.

## **Appearances**

Any episode with a checkmark over it signifies Jeffrey Cortez appearing in any way.