A University of Alabama student who went missing while on vacation was found dead in Barcelona after an apparent accidental fall into the sea, surveillance cameras showed, and an autopsy showed he had injuries consistent with multiple hits against the breakwater rocks.
Such details about James “Jimmy” Gracie emerged in Spanish media, with a Barcelona police spokesman telling The Associated Press that “all indications point” to the 20-year-old’s death being an accident.
Gracie was last seen outside Shoko nightclub around 3am on Tuesday. The Chicago suburban native raised alarm when he didn’t return to the short-term rental he was staying with friends who had accompanied him on a spring break trip to the Catalan regional capital.
His body was eventually found in 13 feet of water on a beach near Shoko Club on Thursday afternoon, a development that made international news headlines.
Related: Body of missing Illinois student found in waters near Barcelona beach
Spanish newspaper El Pais reported on Friday, citing police sources, that local surveillance cameras captured video of Gracie walking to the dock alone and falling into the water “without the involvement of a third party”.
Another outlet, El Periódico, added on Friday that a preliminary autopsy report submitted to a Barcelona court “rules out foul play and supports the police’s hypothesis: [Gracey] An autopsy report documented “several injuries consistent with hitting the breakwater rocks,” according to Barcelona-based El Periódico, which also wrote that toxicology test results were pending.
Media reports included details of the two-day search for Gracie. According to “El Pais”, Barcelona police once discovered that Gracie’s mobile phone had fallen into the hands of a thief known to the police. But it’s unclear whether Gracie lost the device or if it was stolen from him, and investigators ruled out the device being involved in its subsequent fall into the sea, The Nation reported.
Meanwhile, El Periódico reported that police had narrowed their search for Gracie after finding his wallet and some clothes. The media also reported that Gracie’s parents have traveled to Barcelona and that after toxicology tests are completed, Gracie’s body will be released to the family, returned home, and buried.
Gracie’s family released a statement asking for prayers and privacy as they try to “come to terms with this unimaginable loss.”
“Our family is heartbroken,” the statement added. “Jimmy was a much-loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin and friend.”
Barcelona attracts millions of foreign tourists every year. It is considered generally safe, especially compared to major cities in the United States, which has significantly higher rates of fatal gun violence than other high-income countries.
Barcelona’s Mediterranean beaches are just a short walk from the bustling city center and often attract young tourists. When he disappeared, Gracie went to a beach that was filled with restaurants and nightclubs and was popular with locals and tourists.
Before police confirmed Gracie’s death, his aunt described him in an interview with The Associated Press as “a good kid, a good Catholic boy” from the American Midwest.
The University of Alabama released a statement saying the school community was “heartbroken” upon learning of Gracie’s death.
“Our entire campus is deeply saddened by Jimmy’s passing,” the university’s statement said. “Our condolences go out to the Gracie family during this devastating time.”
Contributed reporting by The Associated Press
