James (Image: Family Handout)
The body of a missing student has been found in the water off a popular tourist beach.
James “Jimmy” Gracey, an American college student was celebrating spring break in Barcelona when he disappeared on Tuesday, March 17.
On Thursday, March 19, Spanish police found his body in the water off a Barcelona beach.
Gracey’s body was found by police divers and positively identified, the press office for Catalonia’s regional police in Barcelona confirmed.
The University of Alabama student’s body was found near where he was last seen outside a nightclub with his friends early Tuesday.
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Gracey was visiting friends in Barcelona for spring break.
Catalan police say that their investigation continues into the cause of death.
The 20-year-old, was last seen outside the Shoko nightclub in Barcelona but separated from friends around 3am on Tuesday.
He didn’t return to the room he was renting with friends, according to family members. They realised something was wrong when police contacted them, saying they had recovered his phone.
His family released a statement on Thursday expressing their « heartbreak » over the « unimaginable loss ».
“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.
Jimmy’s family are heartbroken at his loss (James with his aunt) (Image: Family Handout)
“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, honours 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.
O’Reilly said her nephew left Alabama on Thursday last week 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.
The area where Gracey went out is a popular tourist spot – a stretch of beach with several restaurants and nightclubs.
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 organisation said that in addition to serving as chaplain for the school’s chapter, he was a philanthropy chairperson.
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