Share and Follow
The family of a University of Alabama student is desperately seeking information following the disappearance of their 20-year-old son during a trip overseas with friends.
James “Jimmy” Gracey was last seen in the early hours of March 17 while at a nightclub in Barcelona.
“Jimmy is a kind, responsible, and devoted son and brother,” his family shared in a statement to WBMA. “It is completely out of character for him not to check in with family and friends.”
The family is collaborating closely with local authorities as they attempt to trace the young man’s movements before his disappearance.
“We ask that you keep Jimmy in your thoughts,” they added, “as we continue to do everything we can to bring him home safely.”
What Happened to Missing College Student James Gracey?
According to the family’s statement, Jimmy was last seen around 3 a.m. at the Shoko night club in the Port Olímpic area, wearing a white t-shirt, dark pants and a gold chain with a rhinestone cross.
His fraternity brother Cavin McLay told WBMA that that Gracey had gone to the club with friends.
“Unfortunately, he was separated from the rest of the group later into the night,” he said, “and that was the last time we’ve heard from him.”
The junior and president of the University of Alabama’s Theta Chi fraternity added in comments to NBC News that his “heart sank” the next morning when he learned that Gracey was missing, saying, “It’s definitely not a good text to wake up to.”
Although initially McLay said the group hoped Gracey had just lost his phone and would return to his Airbnb on his own, his friends now fear something may have happened to him and have joined the search effort to find him.
“They’re out on the beach right now handing out flyers,” McLay told WBMA, “just getting as many eyes as we possibly can looking out for him.”
Gracey’s mom Therese Marren Gracey wrote in an update in the Facebook group Barcelona Expat Families that as of 6 p.m. CST on March 18, the 20-year-old “has still not been located.”
She added, “Please continue to pray.”
According to her post, police have found Gracey’s phone, but don’t believe he ever made it back to the Airbnb where he was staying.
Gisela Macedo, a reporter for El Periódico in Barcelona told CBS 42 that police are beginning to suspect foul play after finding surveillance footage that showed Gracey leaving the club with an unidentified person.
In addition to looking through surveillance footage, WBMA reported that police are also conducting searches in the area and utilizing a helicopter and maritime units to search the ocean for any sign of the missing 20-year-old.
In a statement to , the University of Alabama said that Gracey had been in Spain as part of a “personal trip” not affiliated with the university.
“The safety and well-being of all our students, here and abroad, are always the University’s top priority,” the university said. “We are keeping Jimmy and his family at the forefront of our thoughts, and our staff are in direct communication with the family to offer every support and assistance possible. Anyone with information that may help is encouraged to contact local authorities.”