Spanish authorities have determined that the death of an Illinois college student who vanished during a spring break trip to Barcelona appears to be accidental, regional police announced Friday.
Twenty-year-old James “Jimmy” Gracey, a University of Alabama student from Elmhurst, Illinois, was discovered Thursday afternoon in coastal waters near a Barcelona beach. The location was close to where he had last been spotted with friends outside a local nightclub early Tuesday morning.
According to a representative from Catalonia’s regional police force, investigators believe “all signs point” to an accidental death for the young man. An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the exact cause.
Gracey disappeared around 3 a.m. Tuesday after leaving the Shoko nightclub. He failed to return to his shared rental accommodation, prompting concern from his travel companions. Authorities later located his mobile phone. The student’s hometown of Elmhurst sits approximately 19 miles west of Chicago.
The grieving family released a public statement requesting prayers and privacy during this difficult period.
“Our family is heartbroken as we confirm that Jimmy’s body has been recovered in Barcelona. Jimmy was a deeply loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend, and our family is struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable loss,” the statement said.
The Spanish coastal city attracts millions of international tourists annually and maintains a reputation for safety, particularly when compared to major American metropolitan areas. Petty theft typically represents the primary concern for visitors to the Mediterranean destination.
Barcelona’s seaside areas remain easily accessible from the city’s core, making them particularly attractive to younger travelers. The location where Gracey spent his final evening features numerous dining establishments and entertainment venues popular with both residents and tourists.
Speaking to reporters before official confirmation of the death, Gracey’s aunt described her nephew as “just a great kid, a good Catholic boy from the Midwest.”
University of Alabama officials expressed their sorrow in an official statement, saying the campus community “is heartbroken to learn of the death of Jimmy Gracey.”
“Jimmy’s loss is deeply felt across our campus. Our condolences are with the Gracey family during this devastating time,” the university added.
