Alexei Nikolaevich, the heir apparent to the Russian Empire, was the son of Tsar Nicholas II. Born on August 12, 1904, in Saint Petersburg, he was the first in line to the throne. His life was cut short on July 17, 1918, when he was executed by the Bolshevik regime. Alexei's brief life was marked by tragedy and his death symbolized the end of the Russian imperial family.