The body of James “Jimmy” Gracey, an American college student who goes missing While visiting friends in Spain during spring break, he was found in the water off a beach in Barcelona on Thursday, police said.
Gracey’s body was found by police divers and positively identified, the press office of the Catalan regional police in Barcelona told the Associated Press.
The University of Alabama student’s body was found near where he was last seen outside a nightclub with his friends early Tuesday. Gracey, 20, was visiting friends in Barcelona over spring break.
According to the Catalan police, investigations into the cause of death are continuing.
This undated photo shows James “Jimmy” Gracey (left) with his aunt Beth Marren O’Reilly.
Gracey Family via AP
The 20-year-old student was last seen by a friend outside Barcelona’s Shoko restaurant and nightclub at around 3 a.m. local time on Tuesday, his mother said in a Facebook post Tuesday before his body was found.
“My college-aged son is visiting friends who are studying abroad. The (sic) was in Shoko last night. The police have his phone but he never made it back to his Airbnb,” Therese Marren Gracey wrote in the Facebook group Barcelona Expat Families.
She did not explain how police came into possession of her son’s cellphone.
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Gracey was reported missing after he failed to return to his Airbnb on Wednesday morning.
He was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity, and the international organization said that in addition to serving as a chaplain for the school group, he also served as a philanthropy officer.
Cavin McLay, the fraternity president, said NBC News that Gracey was at the club with a group and they got separated, “and that was the last time they saw him.”
McLay said he was in Barcelona but was not staying with the same group of friends as Gracey. He said about 10 people were in Barcelona to visit some members of the fraternity studying abroad, NBC News reports.
In a statement released late Thursday, the Gracey family asked for prayers and privacy.
“Our family is heartbroken as we confirm that Jimmy’s body has been recovered in Barcelona. Jimmy was a much loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin and friend, and our family is struggling with this unimaginable loss,” the statement said.
“We are deeply grateful for the love, support and prayers of people around the world – so many have helped tell Jimmy’s story and bring his life to light for others to know him.”
The Gracey family said they “sincerely appreciate the continued support and coordination of local authorities and the U.S. Consulate as we work to better understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy.”
“As we go through this painful time, we kindly ask for privacy so that we can grieve together and begin to process this loss as a family,” they added.
Also the University of Alabama released a statement regarding Gracey’s deathin which he wrote: “The University of Alabama community is heartbroken to learn of the death of Jimmy Gracey. Jimmy’s loss is deeply felt throughout our campus. Our condolences go out to the Gracey family at this devastating time. We ask that their privacy be respected as they grieve.”
School officials at Saint Ignatius College Prep in Chicago, where Gracey graduated in 2023, said: “During his four years at Saint Ignatius, Jimmy was fully involved in the life of the school as a student and athlete.”
“He was an integral part of both the lacrosse and hockey programs and was known for his strong character, loyalty and the way he carried himself toward his teammates and friends,” the statement continued.
In an interview conducted before police confirmed his death, Gracey’s aunt told The Associated Press that he was “just a great boy, a good Midwestern Catholic boy.”
“Very good student, honors program at the University of Alabama, chaplain in his fraternity, you know, just a great older brother and role model to his cousins,” Beth Marren O’Reilly said.
O’Reilly said her nephew left Alabama on Thursday and spent the weekend in Amsterdam before arriving in Barcelona on Monday. Gracey’s family didn’t immediately know how police came into possession of his phone. Gracey’s father, Taras, was in Barcelona and cooperating with police, O’Reilly said.
Global News has asked Catalan police for more information.
– With files from The Associated Press
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