Body of missing Alabama student Jimmy Gracie found in Barcelona
Barcelona authorities say they have found the body of James “Jimmy” Gracie, a University of Alabama student who went missing after visiting a club.
Theta Chi Fraternity expressed its condolences on the death of member and friend James “Jimmy” Gracie, 20, whose body was found in Barcelona on March 19th.
“There are no words to express our sadness at the loss of our beloved brother Jimmy,” Cabin McRae, president of the Alpha Phi chapter at the University of Alabama, said in a March 19 statement. “Jimmy always went above and beyond for those who needed him, whether it was for faith guidance, a shoulder to lean on, or just someone to share a smile with and laugh with. I can say without hesitation that I am a better person for knowing him.”
Gracie’s body, which had been missing for several days, was found around 6 p.m. local time in the water at Somorrostro Beach, in front of the club where Gracie was last seen several days earlier, Catalan police (Mossos d’Esquadra) confirmed to USA TODAY in an email on March 19. Spanish authorities identified the body as Gracie’s just before 8:45 p.m., police said.
As a member of the University of Alabama Alpha Phi chapter, Mr. Gracie served as pastor and philanthropic chairman, Theta Chi CEO Michael J. Mayer said in a March 19 statement.
“Motivated by true dedication and brotherly love, Brother Theta Chi in Barcelona searched tirelessly for Jimmy for several days,” Mayer said. “We are incredibly proud of them and, like many across our brotherhood, recognize that what they have experienced is deeply traumatic. We respectfully ask local, national and international media to give these young people the space they need to come to terms with and grieve this unthinkable loss.”
Mayer added that in the coming days the fraternity will announce how it will honor Gracie’s life.
The family is grateful to the people for their kindness and concern.
In a previous statement, Gracie’s family called him a “kind, responsible, and dedicated son and brother,” and in a statement released after the body was identified, they thanked the public for “the kindness and consideration shown to our family.”
“We have decided to pause media interviews at this time in order to focus on being together and caring for each other,” the family added in a statement. “Thank you for respecting our privacy and keeping our family in your thoughts and prayers. We will share updates when possible.”
What we know about Jimmy Gracie’s disappearance
Gracie went out to the Barcelona club Choco on Monday, March 16, his mother Therese Maren Gracie wrote in the public Facebook group Barcelona Expat Families. He was last seen alive in the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 17th.
Therese said her son was visiting a friend who was studying abroad and was staying at an Airbnb near downtown Ronda de Saint Pere. The club he attended was about three miles southeast of where he was staying.
Therese said a friend Gracie was with at a nightclub last saw him around 3 a.m. His friend eventually returned home, but Gracie decided to remain at the club, Barcelona newspaper El Periodico reported.
Investigators examined the nightclub’s security camera footage and found Gracie had left the club with someone, but it was unclear who that person was, El Periodico reported. Witnesses also told Catalan police that they saw Gracie walking towards the beach. Therese said Gracie never returned to the Airbnb.
According to TV stations WBMA and El Periodico, authorities found Gracie’s wallet at sea. When USA TODAY contacted Catalan police, these reports were not confirmed.
Greta Cross is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. Story ideas? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
