College Student Missing In Barcelona: Body of Illinois Student Found as Investigation Continues

college student missing in barcelona James “Jimmy” Gracey, a 20-year-old college student from Illinois and a University of Alabama student, was found in the water off a Barcelona beach, Catalonia’s regional police said.

What happened?

Catalonia’s regional police in Barcelona say Gracey was last seen outside the Shoko nightclub, where he separated from friends at about 3 a. m. He never returned to the room he was renting with friends. Police divers recovered a body in the water off a Barcelona beach and positively identified it as Gracey. Catalan police have stated that their investigation into the cause of death continues.

College Student Missing In Barcelona: Who was James “Jimmy” Gracey?

Gracey was a 20-year-old college student from Illinois who was enrolled at the University of Alabama. Family members in the Elmhurst suburb—about 19 miles west of Chicago—described him as an honors student and active in his campus fraternity. In an interview before police confirmation of his death, his aunt, Beth Marren O’Reilly, described him as “just a great kid, a good Catholic boy from the midwest” and said he was “very good student, honors program at University of Alabama, chaplain in his fraternity, ” and a role model to relatives.

Gracey had left Alabama on Thursday, spent the weekend in Amsterdam, and arrived in Barcelona on Monday to spend the week with classmates for spring break. Friends last saw him outside the nightclub early on Tuesday before he separated from the group.

What investigators and family say — next steps

The press office for Catalonia’s regional police in Barcelona confirmed the body was found by police divers and positively identified. Family members realized something was wrong after police contacted them to say they had recovered his phone. The University of Alabama issued a statement expressing support: “We are keeping Jimmy and his family at the forefront of our thoughts, and our staff are in direct communication with the family to offer every support and assistance possible. “

Catalan police have been clear that the investigation into the cause of death remains open. Authorities and the university are in contact with the family as investigators pursue standard procedures to determine the circumstances surrounding Gracey’s death. Readers should expect updates as the inquiry proceeds and as officials provide further findings about the college student missing in barcelona.