Police Probe Death of Alabama Student James Gracey in Barcelona, Citing Possible Accident.

James Gracey, a 20-year-old University of Alabama student from Illinois, was found dead in Barcelona waters after going missing during a spring break trip.

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Spanish authorities indicated the death was likely accidental according to police sources.

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The University of Alabama junior disappeared after being last seen outside the Shoko nightclub around 3 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17.

Catalan police recovered his body from the water near Port Olimpic marina on Thursday afternoon.

His body was found approximately 500 feet from where he was last seen, according to police sources.

Fox News reported that 'everything points to an accidental death,' though specific details about how the events unfolded were not provided.

The discovery followed an extensive search operation involving boats, divers, a helicopter, and drones along Somorrostro Beach.

Gracey was described by family and friends as a 'deeply loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend.'

He was the eldest of five children and had traveled to Barcelona to visit friends studying abroad.

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The Chicago-area native graduated from Saint Ignatius College Prep in 2023.

He was a third-generation alumni of the private Catholic school, following his mother, grandfather and great-uncle.

At the University of Alabama, Gracey served as Theta Chi fraternity chaplain and philanthropy chairman.

His fraternity brother Cavin McLay described him as a 'role model' and 'warrior of Christ' whose 'smile and attitude were infectious.'

Gracey played hockey at Saint Ignatius and was an honors student in the university's accounting program.

The investigation revealed key evidence that pointed toward an accidental drowning.

“His body was found near where he was last seen outside a nightclub with his friends early Tuesday”

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Police obtained surveillance footage reportedly showing Gracey walking alone towards the dock at Port Olimpic before falling into the water.

Authorities declined to confirm these details to media, according to police spokespersons.

A witness told Catalan police that Gracey was seen heading towards a rocky outcrop.

The witness suggested Gracey may have accidentally fallen into the sea after drinking.

During the search, police recovered Gracey's wallet floating in the water off Somorrostro beach.

The beach starts just a few hundred feet from the nightclub where Gracey was last seen.

A Pakistani national was initially taken into custody after being found with Gracey's mobile phone.

His involvement in the death appears to have been ruled out, though his possession of the phone remains under investigation.

The Gracey family expressed profound grief in their statement, calling the loss 'unimaginable.'

They asked for privacy during their difficult time in a family statement.

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'Our family is struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable loss,' they wrote.

The family traveled to Barcelona while awaiting judicial authorization to return Gracey's body.

They planned burial in Illinois, his birthplace, according to El Periódico de Catalunya.

The University of Alabama community responded with heartbreak to the tragedy.

The university stated that 'Jimmy's loss is deeply felt across our campus.'

The school offered counseling resources to students and staff affected by the tragedy.

Theta Chi Fraternity Alpha Phi Chapter President Cavin McLay described the pain of losing their 'beloved brother Jimmy.'

Barcelona is a popular tourist destination that draws millions of foreign visitors annually.

“It is generally safe, especially compared with major U”

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The city is generally considered safe compared to major U.S. cities.

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Tourists' biggest concerns in Barcelona are typically pickpockets rather than violent crime.

The area where Gracey went out features a stretch of beach with restaurants and nightclubs.

This area is frequented by both locals and tourists and is located near Port Olímpic marina.

Somorrostro Beach, where Gracey's body was found, sits just outside the Shôko nightclub.

According to his aunt, Gracey was 'just a great kid, a good Catholic boy from the Midwest.'

He had traveled to Barcelona specifically to visit friends studying abroad.

The Mediterranean beaches are within walking distance of Barcelona's bustling city center.

These beaches are particularly popular with young visitors, making them common destinations for American spring break trips.

Preliminary autopsy results released on Friday, March 20, indicated injuries compatible with impact against rocks during his fall.

These findings supported the accidental drowning theory being investigated by police.

Blood analyses were performed to determine whether Gracey had consumed alcohol or other substances.

Results of these tests were still awaited at the time of reporting.

Catalan police spokespersons maintained that while they believe it's an accident, no official ruling has been made yet.

A spokesperson told Fox News Digital that 'Everything points to an accidental death, although we are not disclosing details regarding how the events unfolded.'

The final autopsy report, including laboratory testing results, could take several additional weeks to complete.

The Catalan high court indicated this timeline for the comprehensive report.

A memorial mass for Gracey was scheduled for Monday at 8 a.m. at the Church of the Holy Family.

The service was planned for Chicago's Near West Side as the community continued to mourn.