Spanish authorities and the U.S. State Department are monitoring the disappearance of James “Jimmy” Gracey, a University of Alabama student who vanished early Tuesday morning after visiting a popular beachfront nightclub in Barcelona.
Gracey, a resident of Elmhurst, Illinois, was last seen at approximately 3:00 a.m. local time on March 17 at Shôko Barcelona. According to family reports, the junior was in Spain on a personal trip visiting friends who are currently studying abroad in the city.
Key Details of the Disappearance
The timeline of Gracey’s disappearance centers on the transition between Monday night and Tuesday morning:
- Last Seen: 3:00 a.m. Tuesday at Shôko Barcelona.
- Circumstances: Friends reportedly left the venue while Gracey remained behind.
- Current Status: Gracey failed to return to his Airbnb. Local police have received a formal missing persons report.
- Physical Description: 6 feet 1 inch tall, approximately 175 lbs. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, dark joggers, and a gold chain with a rhinestone cross.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(604x418:606x420):format(webp)/jimmy-gracey-031826-2-915e5e944dc94eaeaaded59960727570.jpg)
Conflicting Reports Over Evidence
A central point of investigation involves the whereabouts of the student’s mobile device. Gracey’s mother, Therese Marren Gracey, stated via social media that “the police have his phone,” though he never returned to his lodgings.
However, a spokesperson for the local police force (Mossos d’Esquadra) provided a more guarded assessment to investigators. While confirming that a missing persons report was filed in person on Tuesday morning, officials stated they could not yet confirm if Gracey’s phone was in their possession.
“The investigation remains open and ongoing,” the spokesperson said, declining to provide further specifics on digital forensic leads.
Institutional and Family Response
The University of Alabama confirmed Gracey’s status as a student and stated they are coordinating with his family.
“UA staff are in touch with the family and those associated with them to offer support and assistance in any way possible,” a university spokesperson said in a formal statement.
Therese Gracey has utilized social media to circulate photos of her son taken hours before he vanished, urging anyone with information in the Barcelona area to contact local authorities. Shôko Barcelona, the venue where he was last spotted, has not yet issued a public comment regarding the incident or whether security footage has been handed over to the Mossos d’Esquadra.
Investigation Context
Barcelona’s beachfront district is a high-traffic area for international tourists, frequently monitored by both local police and private security. Investigators are expected to review CCTV footage from the Passeig Marítim boardwalk to determine Gracey’s direction of travel after exiting the club.
