Body of missing student James Gracey found in sea near Barcelona, police confirm
The body of missing University of Alabama student James Gracey, who disappeared during a trip to Barcelonawas found, Spanish police announced Thursday.
The 20-year-old from Elmhurst, Illinois, was visiting friends studying abroad during spring break. His family said he disappeared early Tuesday morning after visiting Shoko Barcelona, a club near the Villa Olimpica area on Barceloneta beach.
His family said he was with a group of friends that night, but at some point he became separated from them and never returned to where they were staying.
His friends and family said they realized something was wrong when police called to say they had found his phone. His wallet was later found near the beach. Gracey’s father traveled to Barcelona to help with the search.
On Thursday morning, Spanish authorities turned their search towards the sea, sending boats, divers and drones. The search found a body in the water at Somorrostro beach, outside the Shoko nightclub where he was last seen, which police identified as Gracey.
A spokesperson said at this stage everything indicates it was an accident and not foul play. Catalan police said their investigation into the official cause of Gracey’s death was continuing.
Gracey was the eldest of five children. He grew up in Elmhurst and graduated from St. Ignatius College Prep on Chicago’s Near West Side. He had booked a flight for Saturday to return home to the United States.
At the University of Alabama, he was an honors student in the accounting program and a member of Theta Chi fraternity.
The Gracey family released a statement after authorities first discovered the body, writing, “We are so grateful for the kindness and care we have shown our family during this incredibly difficult time. We have made the decision to pause media interviews at this time to focus on being together and caring for each other. Please respect our privacy and keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.”
