Cops make ruling on University of Alabama student James Gracey’s shocking Barcelona death

Foul play was likely not a factor in University of Alabama student James Gracey’s shocking death in Barcelona, Spanish authorities said the day after recovering his body.

“Everything points to it being an accidental death,” Mossos d’Esquadra police, who cover the area where Gracey’s body was found Thursday, told The Post.

Maritime police discovered the 20-year-old Elmhurst, Illinois, native’s “lifeless body” in 13-foot-deep water off Port Olímpic, near where Gracey was last seen leaving Shôko nightclub around 3 a.m. Tuesday.

Jimmy Gracey with his aunt Beth O’Reilly.
University of Alabama student James Gracey’s “lifeless body” was found in 13-foot-deep water off Port Olímpic.Family Handout
The heartbreaking identification came just hours after the remains were recovered at about 6 p.m. local time on Thursday.

“The relevant arrangements have been made with the victim’s relatives, who are in Barcelona,” the police department wrote in a statement Friday.

Gracey’s father had traveled to Spain to assist in the desperate search for his son, which kicked off after the college junior got separated from his friends inside the nightclub and later failed to return to their Airbnb about two miles away in Ronda de Sant Pere.

He was last seen alive by a person who reportedly saw him walking toward the rocky coastline, close to the beachfront club.

Police officers carry a body on a stretcher from the waters off the Port of Barcelona.
Foul play was likely not a factor in University of Alabama student James Gracey’s shocking death in Barcelona, Spanish authorities said the day after recovering his body. AP
“From there, he may have fallen into the sea and drowned,” the witness said, according to the Daily Mail.

Authorities – who once suspected foul play was involved – found his wallet floating in the waters off Somorrostro beach, which starts a few hundred feet from the nightclub, on Wednesday.

On Thursday, a Port Olímpic worker waved down officers before the body was found, Fox News reported.

Police officers retrieve a body from the water in the Port of Barcelona, Spain.
Police officers carry the body of a person found in the waters off the Port of Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 19, 2026.AP

Smiling young man with brown curly hair, wearing a light blue polo shirt with "Tide" embroidered in red.
Gracey was last seen alive by a person who reportedly saw him walking toward the rocky coastline, close to the beachfront club. Therese Gracey
Divers jumped into the water with a stretcher before returning with a body bag, which appeared to be full.

A blue screen was erected to shield the body from public view.

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An autopsy will be carried out on his body, Spanish outlet La Vanguardia reported, although the final results may take several weeks to be released.

Gracey’s family said they have been left heartbroken by his death — and tributes from his fraternity poured in.

Catalan regional police patrol on the Mediterranean sea near Barceloneta beach in Barcelona.
Authorities – who once suspected foul play was involved – found his wallet floating in the waters off Somorrostro beach, which starts a few hundred feet from the nightclub, on Wednesday. REUTERS
“Jimmy was a deeply loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend, and our family is struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable loss,” his devastated family wrote in a statement.

 

Gracey – who went by Jimmy, and had traveled to the Spanish city to visit friends who were studying abroad – was the chaplain of the Alpha Phi Chapter of the Theta Chi Fraternity.

He was “a young man of deep faith” with a “genuine care for others,” its CEO Mike Mayer said, WBMA-LD reported.

James "Jimmy" Gracey, a young man with curly brown hair, smiling in a light pink polo shirt with "Bama" embroidered on it.
Gracey – who went by Jimmy, and had traveled to the Spanish city to visit friends who were studying abroad – was the chaplain of the Alpha Phi Chapter of the Theta Chi Fraternity. Gracey Family
“There are no words to describe the pain of losing our beloved brother, Jimmy,” Theta Chi Alpha Phi Chapter president Cavin McLay said.

“He was always asking how your day was going and thinking about the people around him.
“His smile and attitude were infectious and such a light in our chapter. I can say without hesitation that I am a better person for having known him,” McLay said.

Gracey was a “role model” and “warrior of Christ,” he added.