A 20-year-old college student has vanished during a spring break trip in Spain — and now, a troubling new detail has investigators considering the possibility of foul play.
James “Jimmy” Gracey, a University of Alabama student, was last seen in the early hours of March 17 in Barcelona after a night out with friends.
Last seen at nightclub
According to his family, Jimmy was last spotted around 3:00 a.m. at the popular Shoko nightclub in the Port Olímpic area. He had been out with friends but became separated from the group later in the night.
“Unfortunately, he was separated from the rest of the group later into the night, and that was the last time we’ve heard from him,” said fraternity brother Cavin McLay in an interview with WBMA.
A journalist in Spain reported that Jimmy chose to stay behind at the club after a friend left.
“He was with a friend who left earlier, but Jimmy decided to stay in the club — but he never came back,” said reporter Gisela Macedo.
Now, new information suggests he may not have left alone.
According to Macedo, surveillance footage reviewed by police shows Jimmy outside the club around 3 a.m. — possibly with another person — raising concerns that something more serious may have occurred.
El País reports that Gracey’s mother first raised the alarm in a Facebook post after her son failed to return to his Airbnb on Ronda de Sant Pere on Tuesday night.
“He was wearing a white T-shirt and dark pants (probably joggers),” she wrote. “He wears a gold chain with a rhinestone cross on it.”
Search intensifies
Spanish authorities, including the Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalan police), are actively working to reconstruct Jimmy’s final movements. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage and retracing his steps after he left the club.
“They are trying to figure out what exactly Jimmy did after he left and are reconstructing the timeline,” Macedo said.
Authorities say Gracey’s wallet was found floating in the water in Spain.
Jimmy’s father, Taras Gracey, has traveled to Barcelona and is working closely with Catalan police, according to Fox News.
Search efforts have expanded to the surrounding Vila Olímpica area, with helicopters and maritime units scanning nearby waters in case he may have fallen into the ocean.
So far, no suspects or persons of interest have been identified.
Confusion over phone
One key detail remains unclear — Jimmy’s phone.
Friends say police told them they had recovered it.
“We went into the station and they told us that they had his phone,” McLay said.
However, authorities have not confirmed that publicly.
“Police don’t want to confirm if they have his mobile phone,” Macedo added.
Family pleads for help
Back home, Jimmy’s family says his disappearance is completely out of character.
“He’s the greatest gift to our family. He is beloved by all of us,” said his aunt, Beth O’Reilly. “He’s very responsible. This is very out of character for him — always responding to texts.”
In a statement, the family said:
“Our family is deeply concerned about James ‘Jimmy’ Gracey, who has been missing in Barcelona since the early morning hours of March 17.”
They described him as “a kind, responsible, and devoted son and brother,” adding that it is “completely out of character for him not to check in.”
They are urging anyone with information to come forward:
“We are asking anyone who may have seen Jimmy or has any information — no matter how small — to please contact 224.505.3886.”
Friends and officials step in
Friends and classmates have launched their own search efforts, distributing flyers across Barcelona and spreading awareness online.
Cavin McLay, president of Alabama’s Theta Chi fraternity and one of Gracey’s friends who traveled to Spain, spoke about Jimmy’s character. He explained that Gracey serves as the chapter’s chaplain and philanthropy chairman, known for mentoring younger members and helping others.
“We’re keeping our heads up and remaining hopeful that we find him safe,” he said.
His uncle, a senior producer in Washington, D.C., told CNN that the 20-year-old — who plays hockey — had been planning to return to the U.S. on Saturday. He added that Jimmy is not someone who typically loses contact with his family and helps care for his siblings.
Support is also growing at the federal level, with U.S. officials — including the State Department — working with local authorities.
The university confirmed it is assisting as well.
“James Paul Gracey is a UA student on a personal trip. UA staff are in touch with the family and those associated with them to offer support and assistance in any way possible.”
Holding onto hope
As the investigation continues, those closest to Jimmy say they refuse to give up.
“He’s the guy that’s always there when someone needs it. We’re heartbroken and just remaining hopeful that we find him safe,” McLay said.
For now, the mystery remains — what happened after Jimmy walked out of that nightclub in Barcelona?
And more importantly, where is he now?
