Spanish authorities in Barcelona confirmed on Thursday afternoon that an unidentified body was found in the waters near Somorrostro beach during the search for missing American student Jimmy Gracey. Police have sealed off the area and are working on identifying the body.
Jimmy Gracey, a 20-year-old accounting student at the University of Alabama, arrived in Barcelona on Monday to visit friends studying in the area. He went missing after getting separated from his friends around 3 a.m. on Tuesday at the popular Shoko nightclub in Port Olímpic. His family reported him missing, leading to a large-scale land and sea search involving helicopters, drones, and underwater rescue teams.
According to Fox News, Catalan police received a report from nearby staff on Thursday evening around 7 p.m. and discovered a lifeless body in the water in front of the Shoko club. Divers used a stretcher to bring the body back to the pier. Police stated on social media that they are currently working on confirming the identity of the deceased, with barriers erected at the scene to protect the dignity of the victim and gather evidence.
Significant developments had occurred in the case even before the discovery of the body. Police made an unexpected breakthrough in recovering Gracey’s phone while arresting a third-party suspect this week. Retired officers believe that the geolocation data from Google Maps on the phone will be crucial in reconstructing Gracey’s movements on the night he went missing. Moreover, local media outlet La Vanguardia reported that Gracey’s wallet had previously been found in the water, leading to “accidental drowning” as one of the main investigative hypotheses.
Gracey, from Elmhurst, Illinois, is known as the responsible eldest of five siblings in his family. He excelled in school, enjoyed playing ice hockey, and served as an officer in the Theta Chi fraternity, earning the affection of his peers. His uncle, David Gracey, is a senior producer at CNN, and Gracey’s father has also rushed to Barcelona to assist in the situation.
Following the news of the body being found, the Gracey family released a statement expressing sincere gratitude for the international community’s support while announcing a temporary halt to media interviews. They requested privacy and understanding to allow the family to stand together during this difficult time. The University of Alabama stated that they are maintaining close communication with the family, offering all necessary support.