Details about the final known hours of a college student who went missing while visiting Barcelona for spring break have been shared by one of his fraternity brothers as efforts to find him continue into a third day.
University of Alabama student James Gracey, 20, traveled to the Spanish city to see friends who are studying abroad. He was last seen during the early hours of Tuesday after spending the night at Shoko nightclub, a popular venue near Barceloneta Beach.
Gracey, who is originally from Illinois, disappeared at around 3am after being at the club in the Villa Olimpica area. Police were able to recover his phone, but he has not been located.
“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,”
His frat brother Cavin McLay told WBMA that Gracey did not return to the group’s Airbnb, prompting concern and a missing-person report.
As the search intensified, Gracey’s family began appealing for help from the local community and other students in Barcelona.
“My son is a university of Alabama student who is visiting friends in Barcelona who are studying abroad,”
“They went to Shoko last night. The police have his phone but he didn’t make it back to the air bnb. Has anyone see him?”
His mother also shared a description of what he was wearing when he was last seen.
His mom described ‘Jimmy’ as wearing ‘a white t shirt and dark pants (probably joggers).’ at the time of his disappearance.
“He wears a gold chain with a rhinestone cross. He was last seen by his friend at Shoko around 3 am. The friend was leaving but Jimmy stayed.”
According to his family, his father has traveled to Barcelona to assist with the search, and his mother is expected to arrive soon.
Local reporting in Barcelona, cited by CBS 42, said CCTV from the nightclub shows Gracey leaving at about 3am with an unidentified individual.
“We are conducting the initial checks and have taken a report in an open investigation. A call was received early yesterday morning, around 1:00 AM, reporting a possible disappearance,” Catalonia police said in a statement on Tuesday to NBC
McLay said Gracey has had a strong impact on those around him.
Frat brother McLay described Gracey as a ‘great person, a man of upstanding character. One of those people that’s there for anyone when they ever need it.’
“He serves as a mentor for our younger guys and guides our brothers on their journey with their faith,” McLay said. “And he also serves as one of our philanthropy chairmen and devotes his time to giving back to others.”
Friends and fellow students have also joined in to help spread awareness and search nearby areas.
“They’re out on the beach right now handing out flyers just getting as many eyes as we possibly can looking out for him.
“It’s tough. We’re doing everything we can to keep our heads up and remain hopeful that we find him safe, but it’s a tough time. And, you know, we’re scared,”
In a statement released yesterday, the family emphasized that the situation is unusual and asked for continued support.
His family said in a statement yesterday: “Jimmy is a kind, responsible, and devoted son and brother,” the family said in a Wednesday statement. “It is completely out of character for him not to check in with family and friends.
“We are working closely with local authorities and are incredibly grateful for the support we have received. We ask that you keep Jimmy in your thoughts as we continue to do everything we can to bring him home safely.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact 224-505-3886.