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Gracey’s body was found Thursday afternoon in the waters off a
beach, near where he was last seen outside a Barcelona nightclub
with his friends in the early hours of Tuesday.
A spokesperson for Catalonia’s regional police in Barcelona told
The Associated Press that “all signs point” to the University of
Alabama student’s death being accidental, and that an autopsy
would take place.
Gracey, 20, was last seen outside the Shoko nightclub around 3
a.m. on Tuesday. He never returned to the room he was renting
with friends, according to family members who live in the suburb
of Elmhurst, about 19 miles (31 kilometers) west of Chicago.
Police later recovered his phone.
In a statement, the Gracey family asked for prayers and privacy.
“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,” the
statement said.
Barcelona is a popular tourist destination that draws millions
of foreign visitors each year. It is generally safe, especially
compared with major U.S. cities, where tourists’ biggest worry
are normally pickpockets.
The city's Mediterranean beaches, which are located within
walking distance of the bustling city center, are a main draw
especially for young visitors. The area where Gracey went out is
a stretch of beach with several restaurants and nightclubs that
are frequented by locals and tourists.
In an interview conducted before police confirmation of his
death, Gracey’s aunt told the AP that he was “just a great kid,
a good Catholic boy from the Midwest.”
The University of Alabama said in a statement that the school
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,” it
said.
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Naishadham reported from Madrid and O’Connor reported from
Springfield, Illinois.
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