The body of James ‘Jimmy’ Gracey, a college student from Illinois, USA, who disappeared while on a spring break trip to Spain, was recovered on Thursday in waters off a Barcelona beach, the police have confirmed.
According to the press office of the Mossos d’Esquadra – Catalonia’s regional police – divers located the 20-year-old’s body on Thursday afternoon at a depth of four metres in the waters near Barcelona’s Port Olímpic, and formally identified it.
The young man, who was a student at the University of Alabama, was found close to the area where he was last seen with friends outside a nightclub in the early hours of Tuesday. He had been in the city visiting with friends and had planned to end his trip on Saturday.
The Mossos have been working on the hypothesis of an accident, without ruling out any scenario. They said their investigation into the cause of death remains ongoing.
Gracey was last spotted outside the Shoko nightclub, where he became separated from his group at around 3am on Tuesday. He never returned to the accommodation he was sharing with friends, relatives said. His family, based in Elmhurst, a suburb roughly 31 kilometres west of Chicago, grew concerned after being contacted by police, who had recovered his phone.
Family members said they were initially unsure how authorities came to be in possession of his phone.
Earlier on Thursday, authorities in Barcelona reportedly said they had located Gracey’s wallet, floating at sea, and cordoned off an area on Somorrostro Beach to search for him, according to leading Catalan daily La Vanguardia.
The family has since asked for privacy and support.
‘We are so grateful for the kindness and concern that has been shown for 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 one another. Thank you for respecting our privacy and holding our family in your thoughts and prayers,’ a statement from the family said.
Before police confirmed his death, Gracey’s aunt had spoken about him in an interview with The Associated Press, describing him as ‘just a great kid, a good Catholic boy from the Midwest’.
‘Very good student, honors programme at University of Alabama, chaplain in his fraternity, you know, just an amazing older brother and role model to his cousins,’ Beth Marren O’Reilly had said.
She explained that Gracey had travelled from Alabama last Thursday, spending the weekend in Amsterdam before arriving in Barcelona on Monday, where he planned to stay with classmates for the week.
Gracey’s father, Taras, has since travelled to Barcelona and is working with police, O’Reilly added.
Barcelona remains one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting millions of international visitors annually. The city is generally considered safe, with petty theft such as pickpocketing typically the main concern for tourists.
Its beaches, located within walking distance of the city centre, are a major attraction, particularly for younger visitors. The stretch of coastline where Gracey had been out is lined with bars, restaurants and nightclubs popular with both locals and tourists.
In a statement, the University of Alabama said its 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’.
Gracey was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity, where he served as chaplain for the university’s chapter and also held the role of philanthropy chairperson, according to the organisation.
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The body of missing University of Alabama student James Gracey, who disappeared on a trip to Barcelona, has been found, Spanish police said Thursday. The 20-year-old from Elmhurst, Illinois, was visiting friends studying abroad during his spring break. https://t.co/IU5GdTnL4V pic.twitter.com/iiEFEnLi9k
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 19, 2026
Aquesta tarda hem localitzat un cos sense vida a la zona del Somorrostro de Barcelona i estem fent gestions per identificar-lo. pic.twitter.com/HXymN8V0da
— Mossos (@mossos) March 19, 2026
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