Barcelona, Spain
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James “Jimmy” Gracey, an American college student reported missing in Spain earlier this week, has been found useless, a spokesperson for the Barcelona police instructed CNN.
“Everything points to it being an accident, not a criminal act,” the spokesperson stated.
The 20-year-old junior of Elmhurst, Illinois, was reported missing after he went to a nightclub in Barcelona, Spain, and did not return to his short-term rental, his household stated.
His physique was found Thursday in shallow waters at Somorrostro seashore, a stretch of seashore in entrance of the Shoko membership, the place police had been looking for Gracey, based on Barcelona police.
The space was cordoned off with a number of regulation enforcement autos, and forensic groups remained on the scene after the physique was found.
Gracey, a student on the University of Alabama, had simply arrived to the town Monday to go to associates for spring break and deliberate to return to the United States this weekend when he went missing, family members stated. He was final seen round 3 a.m. native time Tuesday at Barcelona’s Shoko membership close to Port Olímpic, family members stated in an announcement.
Gracey had been out with associates that night however had turn into separated from the group, and “that was the last time we’ve heard from him,” his fraternity brother, Cavin McLay, instructed CNN affiliate WBMA.
He was reported missing after he did not return that morning to his short-term rental, his household stated.
Gracey’s household is “heartbroken,” they stated in an announcement Thursday.
“Our family is struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable loss,” the assertion learn. “We are profoundly grateful for the outpouring of love, support, and prayers from people around the world — so many helped to share Jimmy’s story and bring his life to light so that others may know him.”
They say they’ll proceed to work with native authorities and the US Consulate “to better understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy.”
Police have Gracey’s telephone, which was recovered after being stolen, his mom, Therese Gracey, stated in a submit on Facebook. When requested in regards to the telephone on Thursday, the Catalan police power, Mossos d’Esquadra, didn’t share any particulars.
Officers from the power’s aquatic and underwater models had been conducting searches in the waters close to the world the place he was final seen, based on a police spokesperson.
In addition, some Mossos d’Esquadra officers had been patrolling the town’s seaside neighborhood of Barceloneta on bikes, searching for Gracey.
Police additionally reviewed safety digital camera footage to attempt to retrace his actions in these early hours, WBMA reported. Employees at Shoko nightclub declined to remark about Gracey’s disappearance however instructed CNN they turned over CCTV footage to police. It’s unclear whether or not the safety footage confirmed Gracey.
The staff additionally stated associates of Gracey went to the nightclub in the previous couple of days, attempting to get extra info.
“Jimmy is a kind, responsible, and devoted son and brother. It is completely out of character for him not to check in with family and friends,” his household stated in an announcement earlier than his physique was found.
A household spokesperson beforehand stated the college student’s father traveled to Barcelona to assist in the seek for his son.
The US State Department declined to offer particulars, citing “privacy concerns and other considerations.”
Gracey, the eldest of 5 youngsters, was an avid hockey participant and a accountable younger man who helped his mother and father handle his youthful siblings, based on his uncle David Gracey, who is a CNN senior producer in Washington, DC.
At the University of Alabama, James Gracey was an honors student in the accounting program, his aunt Beth Marren O’Reilly instructed CNN.
While Gracey was on a private journey, University of Alabama stated employees had been in contact with the household.
In a brand new assertion Thursday, the college stated the campus neighborhood is “heartbroken” over Gracey’s dying.
“The University has been in close contact with the family throughout the week and will continue to provide support to them and to Jimmy’s friends, classmates, and all members of our community who are affected by this tragedy,” the assertion learn.
Gracey was additionally a member of Theta Chi fraternity, the place he served because the chapter’s chaplain and philanthropy chairman, stated McLay, the chapter president.
“He’s the guy that goes out of his way to be there when someone needs it,” he stated in a Wednesday assertion.
Last yr, one other US college student went missing whereas on spring break.
Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student, vanished on the seashore of the Riu República Hotel in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic early on March 6, 2025. Her disappearance prompted a frantic search by air, sea and land, involving authorities from the United States, the Dominican Republic and India, the place Konanki’s household is initially from. She remains missing.
The US State Department has recommendations for learn how to keep secure touring overseas and what to do if a cherished one goes missing. If a US citizen relative or pal is not responding to communications, officers advocate notifying the police, each in the situation the place they had been final recognized to be or the place you suppose they’re missing, and the State Department’s Overseas Citizens Services workplace in Washington, DC, or your nearest US Embassy or Consulate. From the US and Canada, the Overseas Citizens Services workplace will be contacted at 1-888-407-4747.
This story has been up to date with further info.
