Barcelona, Spain– The body of James “Jimmy” Gracie, an Illinois college student who went missing while in Spain on spring break, was found Thursday in the waters off Barcelona, police said.
The Catalonia Regional Police press office in Barcelona told The Associated Press that police divers found Gracie’s body and it was positively identified. The body of a University of Alabama student was found near where he was last seen outside a nightclub with friends early Tuesday. He was visiting friends in Barcelona for spring break.
Catalan police say their investigations into the cause of death are continuing.
Gracie, 20, was last seen outside Choco nightclub in Barcelona but separated from her friends at around 3am on Tuesday. Gracie never returned to the room he was renting with friends, according to family members who live in the suburb of Elmhurst, about 19 miles (31 kilometers) west of Chicago. They realized something was wrong when the police called them saying they had recovered his phone.
In a statement issued late Thursday, Gracey’s family asked for prayers and privacy.
“Our family is deeply saddened to confirm that Jimmy’s body has been recovered in Barcelona. Jimmy was a much-loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin and friend, and our family is struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable loss,” the statement read.
“We are so grateful for the outpouring of love, support and prayers from people around the world. … As we go through this painful time, we ask for privacy so we can grieve together and begin to process this loss as a family.”
In an interview before police confirmed 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, honors program at the University of Alabama, chaplain in his fraternity, you know, just a great big brother and role model to his cousins,” Beth Marin O’Reilly said.
O’Reilly said her nephew left Alabama on Thursday and spent the weekend in Amsterdam before arriving Monday in Barcelona. Gracey’s family did not immediately know how police obtained his phone. O’Reilly said Gracey’s father, Taras, is in Barcelona and works with the police.
Barcelona is a popular tourist destination that brings millions of foreign visitors every year. It’s generally safe, especially compared to larger American cities, where pickpockets are usually the biggest worry for tourists.
Barcelona’s beaches, located within walking distance of its centre, are a major attraction, especially for younger visitors. The area where Gracey came out is a long stretch of beach with many restaurants and nightclubs frequented by locals and foreigners.
The University of Alabama said in a statement that the school community is “heartbroken to learn of Jimmy Gracey’s passing. Jimmie’s loss is deeply felt throughout our campus. Our condolences are with the Gracey family during this devastating time.”
Gracey was a member of the school’s Theta Chi fraternity, and the international said that in addition to serving as the school’s chapter chaplain, he was philanthropy president.
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O’Connor reported from Springfield, Illinois, and Raza reported from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Associated Press video reporter Laura Bargfield in Chicago and writer Suman Nishadham in Madrid contributed.