James 'Jimmy' Gracey, a 20-year-old University of Alabama student from Elmhurst, Illinois, was found dead in waters off Barceloneta Beach in Barcelona. Catalan police divers recovered his body near where he was last seen outside Shoko nightclub early Tuesday morning.
Key Takeaways
James 'Jimmy' Gracey, a University of Alabama student from Elmhurst, Illinois, was found dead in waters off Barceloneta Beach in Barcelona. His body was recovered near Shoko nightclub where he was last seen early Tuesday morning. Preliminary autopsy results indicate accidental drowning, though toxicology reports are pending.
- Catalan police divers recovered Gracey's body
- CCTV footage showed him walking alone towards rocks before falling into the water
- Preliminary autopsy suggests accidental death by drowning
- Toxicology report could take up to three weeks
- Police found Gracey's wallet intact with money and credit cards
Gracey had been vacationing in Spain to visit friends studying abroad during spring break. He separated from his friends around 3am and never returned to the room he was renting with them, according to family members. Police recovered Gracey's phone soon after he went missing, prompting concerns for his safety.
CCTV footage obtained by investigators showed Gracey leaving Shoko nightclub alone and walking across Somorrostro Beach towards rocks before falling into the water. According to a Spanish judicial source as reported by Daily Mail, preliminary autopsy results indicate an accidental death by drowning. Catalan police continue their investigation, though officials have not disclosed further details about how the events unfolded.
Fox News and The Guardian reported that Gracey's wallet was found floating in the sea near where his body was discovered, although officials have not confirmed this information. Shoko Nightclub provided security video from the night Gracey disappeared to local law enforcement.
The family released a statement expressing gratitude for support during this difficult time while requesting privacy as they focus on being together. The University of Alabama issued a statement saying they are keeping Gracey and his family at the forefront of their thoughts, with staff in direct communication with the family to offer support.
Spanish authorities investigating Gracey's death have stated that everything points to an accidental death, though details regarding how the events unfolded have not been disclosed. Given the findings, authorities have chosen not to pursue charges against any individuals in connection with Gracey’s death. However, officials added that the investigation remains ongoing until a definite report and toxicology screening is submitted to the court – a process that could take up to three weeks.
The finalized report will determine if Gracey was poisoned or drugged before he fell into the water, though authorities have said that foul play is not believed to have played a role in his death. The group visited Shoko nightclub along the Mediterranean Sea on Monday, March 16, for an evening of drinks and dancing.
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