James ‘Jimmy’ Gracey (20) is a University of Alabama student who is missing after traveling to Barcelona, Spain for Spring Break 2026.
Jimmy is originally from Elmhurst, Illinois. He graduated from Saint Ignatius College Prep in Chicago and is a third-year student at the University of Alabama.
Jimmy traveled to Barcelona to meet up with friends who were studying there. He was due to return home at the end of the week – around 21/22 March.
His mother Therese Marren Gracey made this post on social media:
“He and his friends — there was a large group of kids together — were at this club, and we believe he was last there around 3 or 4 in the morning,” his aunt Beth Marren O’Reilly told CBS News.
“He’s a great big brother, he’s a great son, he’s a great nephew, he’s just very beloved,” O’Reilly said. “He’s a very responsible kid which is why we’re very worried. This is pretty out of character for him not to be in touch with friends and family.”
“It’s the nightmare you think is never going to happen to your family, but that’s what family is for we’re here to support each other and just take it minute-by-minute at this point,” she said.
The Gracey family released this statement:
Our family is deeply concerned about James “Jimmy” Gracey, who has been missing in Barcelona since the early morning hours of March 17.
Jimmy is a 20-year-old University of Alabama student visiting friends abroad during spring break. He was last seen around 3:00 AM CET at the Shoko nightclub in the Port Olímpic area. He was wearing a white T-shirt, dark pants (likely joggers), and a gold chain with a rhinestone cross. He is approximately 6’1″ and 175 pounds.
We are asking anyone who may have seen Jimmy or has any information—no matter how small—to please contact 224.505.3886.
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.
We are working closely with local authorities and are incredibly grateful for the support we have received. We ask that you keep Jimmy in your thoughts as we continue to do everything we can to bring him home safely.
Local newspapers have said that police in Barcelona are looking into security video and have launched helicopters and marine units to search for him in the area of the Olympic village.
On March 18, Therese confirmed that authorities had recovered Jimmy’s phone. The circumstances surrounding how they found the phone are unclear.
According to NewsNation Jimmy was seen on CCTV outside the club and he was seen leaving with someone else.
The person he was with has not been identified, and police do not know how that person knew Jimmy.
Multiple news agencies reported on March 18 that foul play was suspected in Jimmy’s case.
The University of Alabama has released a statement and we have learned some more about Jimmy from that:
The president of his fraternity chapter, Cavin McLay, is also in Barcelona. He told NewsNation in a statement, “Jimmy is a beloved brother and a man of upstanding character. He serves as a mentor to younger classes in our chapter and guides our brothers on their journey with their Faith as our Chaplain. He also serves as one of our Philanthropy Chairman and devotes his time to giving back to others. He’s the guy that goes out of his way to be there when someone needs it. We’re working closely and appreciate the support from Senator Britts office, the State Department, the US Embassy here in Barcelona, the UA administration and student body, Theta Chi IHQ, and everyone else involved. Thank you to everyone sharing the story and helping to raise awareness. We’re keeping our heads up and remaining hopeful that we find him safe.”
Despite it being reported that Jimmy was seen leaving the club with an unidentified person, there were also reports that a man was seen walking towards the sea, alone and police began to investigate that angle.
On Thursday March 19, Jimmy’s wallet was found in the sea. Police began looking into the area of Somorrostro beach.
On March 20, a body was pulled from the water in the Somorrostro area. The water in the area was said to be around 4 metres or 13 feet deep. The body was quickly identified as belonging to Jimmy.
The Gracey family released a statement:
“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.”
Family members thanked people for helping share information as police searched for Jimmy. They asked for privacy as they worked to “to better understand the circumstances surrounding this tragedy.”
Jimmy’s fraternity also issued a statement:
“We are heartbroken for Jimmy’s family and ask all who loved him to join us in praying for them — not just in the days ahead, but long after the headlines have faded,” Mike Mayer, CEO of Theta Chi International, said.
A spokesperson for Catalonia’s regional police in Barcelona told The Associated Press that “all signs point” to Jimmy’s death being accidental, and that an autopsy would take place.
According to wvtm13.com:
Jimmy’s body has been taken to the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences of Catalonia for an autopsy to determine cause of death.
Criminal motive and foul play have been ruled out.
The US State Department declined to provide details to CNN, citing “privacy concerns and other considerations.”
There are now many questions as to how Jimmy came to end up in the sea.
Investigators have not ruled out the possibility that University of Alabama student Jimmy Gracey was drugged before he fell to his death off the coast of Spain.
Barcelona cops have publicly indicated that the 20-year-old’s death was accidental, but privately, suspect he was under the influence of drugs, alcohol or both when he drowned, a source told Fox News Digital.
Investigators are waiting for several “loose ends” to be tied up before they can close the case, including the student’s autopsy and toxicology results, the source said.
SOURCE LIST
https://www.newsnationnow.com/missing/chicago-student-jimmy-gracey-missing-barcelona