Share and Follow
The tragic death of University of Alabama student Jimmy Gracey during his spring break in Spain is currently considered an accidental incident, though authorities have not dismissed the chance that he may have been drugged. This information comes from a law enforcement source in Barcelona, as reported by Fox News Digital.
Despite this suspicion, Gracey’s wallet was found intact, containing all his cash, credit cards, and identification, suggesting that robbery was not a motive.
Authorities hypothesize that the 20-year-old Gracey might have walked toward the water and accidentally fallen in, potentially under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or a combination of both. However, the investigation remains open, pending the results of the autopsy and toxicology reports.
In an undated photo released by his family, Jimmy Gracey is seen proudly wearing a Crimson Tide football jersey. The young University of Alabama junior was reported missing during his trip to Barcelona on March 17.
Additionally, new details have emerged regarding the arrest of an individual found with Gracey’s phone. The man, already known to authorities due to a history of theft, is not believed to have stolen the phone directly from Gracey, according to the source.
He is believed to have found the phone on a street and picked it up — leading to his arrest later.
As far as investigators can tell, he didn’t have any contact with Gracey, the source told Fox News Digital.
Catalan police from the Mossos d’Esquadra perform a recovery operation at Port Olimpic marina in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (James Breeden for Fox News Digital)
Investigators are still reviewing surveillance video, the source said. Autopsy results and a toxicology report are not expected to be completed until next Thursday, and authorities are not expected to announce an official cause of death before then. There was no word on any potential signs of trauma Friday.
There are said to be several “loose ends” that authorities need to tie up before the case comes to a close.
Catalan police from the Mossos d’Esquadra perform a recovery operation at Port Olimpic marina in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (James Breeden for Fox News Digital)
Other active hypotheses that remain in play include that Gracey could have been drugged, taken drugs himself or ingested a large enough amount of alcohol to disorient himself.
Much like in parts of the U.S., the source acknowledged theft rings and migrant crime can be a problem in the waterfront promenade area, where Gracey was last seen. He said that while there is a notable amount of crimes of opportunity there, especially at night and near the clubs and bars, overall crime in Barcelona has been in decline for several years.
A Catalan police diver from the Mossos d’Esquadra searches the shoreline and Port Olimpic marina in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 19, 2026. Police were searching for clues as to the whereabouts of 20-year-old University of Alabama student James Gracey who was last seen early Tuesday morning at the nightclub Shoko. (James Breeden for Fox News Digital)
Earlier Friday, a spokesperson for Mossos d’Esquadra, the Catalan regional police, said they believed Gracey’s death to be accidental but declined to release specific details about his final moments.
Gracey, a college junior standing 6 feet, 1 inch tall, and a group of friends from the Alabama chapter of the Theta Chi fraternity flew to Europe for a spring break trip, with plans to visit friends in Barcelona who are studying abroad.
He was last seen alive early Tuesday morning at Shoko, a nightclub on the beach next to the Port Olimpic marina, where authorities found his remains Thursday evening.
General view of Shoko nightclub Port Olimpic marina in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 19, 2026. Police were searching for clues as to the whereabouts of 20-year-old University of Alabama student James Gracey who was last seen early Tuesday morning at nightclub Shoko. (James Breeden for Fox News Digital)
The final known photo of him shows him inside the club, with curly brown hair and wearing his signature gold chain, with a rhinestone cross.
Most of the group left around 3 a.m., but Gracey stayed behind. He was seen talking to an American woman with brown hair, according to local reports.
By the time his friends awoke later that morning, he’d failed to return to the group’s Airbnb along Ronda de Sant Pere, a central avenue in the city about 1.5 miles from Shoko.
Catalan police from the Mossos d’Esquadra search the shoreline and Port Olimpic marina in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 19, 2026. Police were searching for clues as to the whereabouts of 20-year-old University of Alabama student James Gracey. (James Breeden for Fox News Digital)
Friends notified his family and local police, who opened an investigation, according to Mossos d’Esquadra, the regional police force in Catalonia, which includes Barcelona.
The case made international headlines after Gracey’s mother, Therese Gracey, posted about his disappearance in a Facebook group for expats in Barcelona, and his father, Taras Gracey, flew to Spain to take part in the search effort.
On Thursday, Mossos d’Esquadra deployed dive teams along the Mediterranean beach.
General view of Shoko nightclub Port Olimpic marina in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (James Breeden for Fox News Digital)
Around 6:30 p.m., a worker at the marina was seen running out and flagging down officers. He pointed in the direction he came from, and police soon cordoned off the area, with investigators focused on something inside.
Despite low visibility — just under 16 inches — they recovered Gracey’s remains around 7:15 p.m.
Back home, his girlfriend in Tuscaloosa posted a heartbreaking tribute about Gracey on TikTok.
“Fly high my angel,” she wrote in the captions, with Noah Kahan’s “Strawberry Wine” playing.
“Forever in debt for having been lucky enough to be loved by the most pure-hearted, sweet, devoted, and selfless soul,” wrote Kenna Cole. “I so badly wish I could rewind time, but I am so grateful I was able to witness the last six months of your incredible life. James Paul Gracey, you truly were a blessing, and every moment I spent with you felt nothing less than that. Please continue to pray for the Gracey family and keep Jimmy’s memory close to your hearts.”