UPDATE
Missing University of Alabama Student James Gracey’s Wallet Found in Ocean Near Barcelona Club
Previous Coverage
Foul play is suspected in the disappearance of a 20-year-old University of Alabama student, who vanished during a spring break trip in Spain.
Gisela Macedo, a reporter for El Periódico in Barcelona, told CBS 42 that Mossos d’Esquadra authorities obtained security footage showing James “Jimmy” Gracey leaving the Shôko restaurant and nightclub in Barcelona with another person.
Police now believe that, “based on the footage,” foul play is likely involved in his disappearance.
Gracey, of Elmhurst, Illinois, vanished March 17 after going to Shôko with friends, in the Port Olímpic area.
“He was with friends, but they got separated at the end of the night,” his mother, Therese Gracey, posted on Facebook. “They’re all out looking for him.”
“The police have his phone but he didn’t make it back to the air bnb.”
A family member told The Sun that “cops found the phone on the person who stole it from [James].”
No persons of interest have been publicly identified.
A friend said he saw Gracey at around 3 a.m. (local time). When he failed to return back to his short-term rental at Ronda de Sant Pere, his family reported him missing.
Gracey had been in Spain to visit friends who study abroad.
“We are conducting the initial checks and have taken a report in an open investigation,” Catalonia police told NBC 5 Chicago.
“A call was received early yesterday morning, around 1:00 AM, reporting a possible disappearance. The disappearance was reported to have occurred on March 17, 2026, at 3:00 AM, in the Port Olímpic area.”
Gracey is described as standing 6 foot, 1 inch tall and weighing around 175 pounds. He was last seen in dark pants, a white t-shirt, and a chain with a gold rhinestone cross.
No persons of interest have been identified at this time.
Anyone with information is urged to contact 224-505-3886.
The story is developing. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Family Handout]