University of Alabama student James Gracey, who was found dead on a Barcelona Spring Break trip, walked toward the rocks after leaving the beachfront nightclub he was last seen at, a witness has claimed.
Gracey’s body was pulled from the water near Port Olímpic Thursday evening– after dive teams and marine crews were deployed in the frantic search for the 20-year-old American.
He was last seen outside the Shoko nightclub at around 3 a.m. Tuesday when he became separated from his group of pals, and sparked concern when he failed to return to the Airbnb he was renting 2 miles away.
Tragic details are now emerging relating to Gracey’s final moments as a witness told Catalan cops he saw the student, also known as Jimmy, walking toward a “rocky outcrop” by the beach, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Gracey’s body was recovered from the water – around 13 feet deep – a day after police found his wallet floating in the sea near Somorrostro beach, which starts just a few hundred feet from Shoko.
A Port Olímpic worker raised the alarm by waving down officers before the body was found, Fox News reported.
At around 7: 05 p.m. local time, divers jumped into the water with a stretcher before tragically returning with a body bag, which appeared to be full, 10 minutes later.
At around 7: 05 p.m. local time, divers jumped into the water with a stretcher before tragically returning with a body bag, which appeared to be full, 10 minutes later.
A blue screen was erected to shield the body from public view.
Initially, cops feared foul play as Gracey, a junior who is set to graduate next year, was seen leaving Shoko with another person, but authorities now believe his death was “accidental.”
An autopsy will now be carried out on his body, Spanish outlet La VanGuardia reported.
The initial findings could be released within 2 to 3 days, according to the Catalan high court and reported by CNN. But, the final results may take several weeks.
Gracey’s family said they have been left heartbroken by his death – and tributes from the fraternity group he was part of have poured in.
“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,” they said.
Gracey, from West Elmhurst, Il, was the chaplain of the Alpha Phi Chapter of the Theta Chi Fraternity – and its CEO Mike Mayer said he was “a young man of deep faith” with a “genuine care for others,” as reported by WBMA-LD.
Theta Chi Alpha Phi Chapter president Cavin McLay said “there are no words to describe the pain of losing our beloved brother, Jimmy” before paying tribute.
“He was always asking how your day was going and thinking about the people around him,” he said.
“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 described Gracey as a “role model, warrior of Christ.”
