Spanish authorities said foul play is not believed to be a factor in the death of University of Alabama student James Gracey, whose body was recovered in Barcelona after he went missing earlier in the week, as reported [1] by The New York Post.
Gracey, a 20-year-old from Elmhurst, Illinois, was found Thursday evening in the waters near Port Olímpic, close to where he was last seen days earlier.
Maritime police located his “lifeless body” in approximately 13 feet of water after a search that intensified following his disappearance.
BREAKING: Alabama student has been found dead in Barcelona, Spain, just two days after going missing
James “Jimmy” Gracey, 20, a University of Alabama junior, was found dead in Barcelona while on a spring break trip, Catalan police said
Police divers recovered his body… https://t.co/yThF0yD9ZC [2] pic.twitter.com/IShr591Y6v [3]
— Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) March 19, 2026 [4]
“Everything points to it being an accidental death,” Mossos d’Esquadra police, who cover the area where Gracey’s body was found Thursday, told The Post.
The discovery came around 6 p.m. local time on Thursday, with identification confirmed just hours later. Authorities said arrangements had been made with Gracey’s family, who had traveled to Barcelona during the search.
“The relevant arrangements have been made with the victim’s relatives, who are in Barcelona,” the police department said in a statement on Friday.
Gracey had been visiting the Spanish city to spend time with friends who were studying abroad.
According to reports, he became separated from his group inside the Shôko nightclub early Tuesday morning and did not return to the Airbnb where they were staying, located about two miles away on Ronda de Sant Pere.
He was last seen around 3 a.m., leaving the nightclub. A witness later reported seeing him walking toward the rocky coastline near the beachfront.
“From there, he may have fallen into the sea and drowned,” the witness said, according to the Daily Mail.
Authorities had initially considered the possibility of foul play as they searched for Gracey. On Wednesday, his wallet was found floating in the water near Somorrostro beach, located a short distance from the nightclub.
The following day, a worker at Port Olímpic alerted authorities before the body was located. Divers entered the water with a stretcher and later returned with a body bag.
Officials set up a blue screen to shield the recovery operation from public view.
UPDATE (translated) from police in Barcelona on the Jimmy Gracey case — his autopsy has been performed, and authorities decline to confirm local reporting that video shows him falling into the water alone. However, they’re still saying his death appears accidental:
Good… pic.twitter.com/zYVp2ASpIH [5]
— Michael Ruiz (@mikerreports) March 20, 2026 [6]
Gracey’s family released a statement expressing their grief.
“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 read.
Gracey, who was known as Jimmy, was a member of the Alpha Phi Chapter of the Theta Chi Fraternity at the University of Alabama, where he served as chaplain.
Fraternity leaders and members also shared statements remembering him.
“He was ‘a young man of deep faith’ with a ‘genuine care for others,’” said Theta Chi CEO Mike Mayer, according to WBMA-LD.
“There are no words to describe the pain of losing our beloved brother, Jimmy,” said Cavin McLay, president of the Theta Chi Alpha Phi Chapter.
“He was always asking how your day was going and thinking about the people around him. His smile and attitude were infectious and such a light in our chapter. I can say without hesitation that I am a better person for having known him,” McLay said.
McLay added that Gracey was a “role model” and “warrior of Christ.”
Authorities have not released additional details as they continue their investigation, but current findings indicate the incident was likely an accidental drowning.