Details of the tragic final moments of 20-year-old University of Alabama student James Gracey have emerged following a statement from a local witness.
Gracey, who was visiting Spain for spring break, was last seen exiting the Shôko beachfront nightclub at 3 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17.
His disappearance sparked a frantic search by Mossos d’Esquadra, the autonomous police force of Catalonia, after his Theta Chi frat brothers raised the alarm.
On Thursday, March 19, his body was pulled from the Mediterranean Sea, confirming the worst fears of anyone following the case.
A witness has revealed what James Gracey was doing on the night he was reported missing
Image credits: Facebook
According to a Spaniard’s statement to Mossos d’Esquadra, reported by The Daily Mail, Gracey was seen walking toward the rocky outcrop of Somorrostro Beach, which is right outside Shôko.
“From there, he may have fallen into the sea and drowned,” the witness added.
Gracey’s wallet was found floating in the water of Somorrostro shortly before his body was discovered.
Though the hypothesis suggests the student may have passed away from drowning, an autopsy has yet to be performed.
Image credits: Barcelona Hacks
Police are reported to be reviewing surveillance footage that shows Gracey leaving the club with an unidentified person as part of the ongoing investigation.
According to various reports, Gracey was seen talking to a young, brown-haired American woman at the nightclub, but it is unclear if she was the same person he had left with.
Police have since searched the Airbnb on Ronda de Sant Pere where Gracey was staying and interviewed the friends he was sharing the space with.
Gracey’s family undertook an extensive search before receiving the unfortunate news
Image credits: KTVU FOX 2 San Francisco
The student’s mother, Therese, issued an urgent plea for help in the search for her missing son in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
Informing that Gracey had been visiting Spain to meet his friends who are currently studying in Barcelona, Therese said, “He didn’t make it back to the Airbnb. Has anyone seen him?”
Therese added that James was believed to be dressed in a white T-shirt and dark trousers when he went missing.
Image credits: Barcelona Experience
“He wears a gold chain with a rhinestone cross,” she further detailed to help people better identify her son, appealing to them to contact her if they get information regarding his whereabouts.
Gracey’s father, Taras, traveled to Barcelona to search for his son.
His uncle, David Gracey, a senior producer with CNN, shared a statement on the family’s behalf with the outlet, saying they “were deeply concerned.”
“Jimmy is a kind, responsible, and devoted son and brother. It is completely out of character for him not to check in with family and friends,” Gracey’s kin had said, adding, “We are working closely with local authorities and are incredibly grateful for the support we have received.”
“We ask that you keep Jimmy in your thoughts as we continue to do everything we can to bring him home safely,” they further expressed at the time.
Image credits: Facebook
Following Gracey’s passing, his family released an updated statement, reading, “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 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. We will share updates if and when we’re able,” they added.
Gracey’s fate has reminded social media of the passing of Riley Strain
Image credits: shokobarcelona
Riley Strain, 22, was a student at the University of Missouri who had joined his Delta Chi fraternity members for a trip to Nashville in the spring of 2024.
After he went missing on March 8 following a bar run with his friends, the authorities launched a massive investigation involving drones, boats, and hundreds of volunteers, which ended with his body being found in the Cumberland River on March 22.
Image credits: kennacohenn
“OMG, this brings back memories of Riley Strain,” a Facebook user commented.
According to a lawsuit filed by Strain’s family, his frat brothers noted him becoming “incoherent” halfway through their “partying” but failed to ensure he had made it back to their hotel safely.
Image credits: Facebook
Instead of “having the support of his brothers, Riley was abandoned and alone” in his final moments, according to the lawsuit. They did not even “search” or “panic” when they noticed he had not returned, even though he had left their final bar hours earlier.
“The fraternity brothers did not even think to call Riley’s parents — they simply got ready for bed and went to sleep,” the lawsuit said.
Riley Strain’s cause of demise was listed as drowning and ethanol intoxication.
“People don’t understand how dangerous Barcelona is,” a reader said
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