The body of an American student who went missing in Barcelona has been
found, police in Spain say
[March 20, 2026]
By JOSEPH WILSON, JOHN O'CONNOR, and SARAH RAZA
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — The body of James “Jimmy” Gracey, a college
student from Illinois who went missing while in Spain on spring break,
was found Thursday in the water off a Barcelona beach, police said.
Gracey's body was found by police divers and positively identified, the
press office for Catalonia’s regional police in Barcelona told The
Associated Press. The University of Alabama student's body was found
near where he was last seen outside a nightclub with his friends early
Tuesday. He was visiting friends in Barcelona for spring break.
Catalan police say that their investigation continues into the cause of
death.
Gracey, 20, was last seen outside the Shoko nightclub in Barcelona but
separated from friends around 3 a.m. on Tuesday. Gracey 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. They realized something was wrong when police contacted them,
saying they had recovered his phone.
In a statement released late Thursday, 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.
"We are profoundly grateful for the outpouring of love, support, and
prayers from people around the world. ... As we navigate this painful
time, we kindly ask for privacy so that we may grieve together and begin
to process this loss as a family.”
In an interview conducted before police confirmation of his death,
Gracey's aunt told The Associated Press that he was "just a great kid, a
good Catholic boy from the Midwest.”
“Very good student, honors program 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 said.
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This undated photo shows James "Jimmy" Gracey, left, with his aunt
Beth Marren O'Reilly. (Gracey Family via AP)
O'Reilly said her nephew left Alabama on Thursday and spent the
weekend in Amsterdam before arriving Monday in Barcelona. Gracey's
family did not immediately know how police came into possession of
his phone. Gracey's father, Taras, is in Barcelona and has been
working with police, O'Reilly said.
Barcelona is a popular tourist destination that brings in millions
of foreign visitors each year. It is generally safe, especially
compared with major U.S. cities, where tourists’ biggest worry are
normally pickpockets.
Barcelona’s beaches, located in walking distance of its 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 foreigners.
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.”
Gracey was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity at the school, and
the international organization said that in addition to serving as
chaplain for the school's chapter, he was a philanthropy
chairperson.
___
O’Connor reported from Springfield, Illinois, and Raza reported from
Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Associated Press videojournalist Laura
Bargfeld in Chicago and writer Suman Naishadham in Madrid
contributed.
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