Authorities share update on circumstances around missing college student Jimmy Gracey's death

A preliminary autopsy report indicates that the death of University of Alabama student James "Jimmy" Gracey, who went missing during a spring break trip to Barcelona, Spain, was likely an accidental drowning. The 20-year-old's body was found in the Mediterranean Sea after a search was launched following his disappearance early last Tuesday. Spanish police found no signs of foul play, and injuries were consistent with hitting breakwater rocks. Gracey had last been seen at a nightclub in the Port Olímpic district. Police recovered Gracey's phone from an individual known to them, but determined that this person had no contact with Gracey and charged him with illegal possession of stolen property. Final autopsy results are expected soon.

James "Jimmy" Gracey, a 20-year-old University of Alabama student from Illinois, was found dead in the waters off a Barcelona beach on Thursday. Police divers recovered his body near the Shoko nightclub, where he was last seen with friends early Tuesday morning during a spring break visit. Gracey had separated from his friends around 3 am and never returned to his accommodation. Catalan police are investigating the cause of death. Gracey's family was notified after police recovered his phone. The University of Alabama expressed its condolences and offered support to the family.

The body of James "Jimmy" Gracey, an American college student from Illinois, was discovered in the waters off a Barcelona beach on Thursday, March 19, 2026. Gracey, a University of Alabama student, had been missing since early Tuesday. Police divers recovered and positively identified the body. He was last seen with friends outside a nightclub in Barcelona. The Catalonia regional police confirmed the discovery to the Associated Press. Gracey was in Spain on spring break when he disappeared.