Alabama student reportedly fell to his death in Barcelona waters by accident | Alabama
It appears that an Alabama college student, who was found dead in Barcelona after getting lost during vacation, accidentally fell into the sea due to security cameras. An autopsy revealed injuries to his body consistent with being repeatedly struck by rocks in the breakwater.
Such details about James “Jimmy” Gracey emerged in Spanish media and “all signs” point to the 20-year-old’s death being unintentional, a police spokesman in Barcelona told The Associated Press.
Gracey was last seen outside Shoko nightclub around 3 a.m. on Tuesday. The native of suburban Chicago was alarmed when he didn’t return to the short-term rental he was staying in with friends who had accompanied him on spring break to the Catalan regional capital.
And in a development that made international news headlines, his body was found in 13ft-deep waters of a beach near the Shoko club on Thursday afternoon.
of spain El País Citing police sources, the newspaper reported on Friday that local security cameras recorded video of Gracey walking alone to the pier and falling into the water “without the intervention of third parties.”
El PeriodicoAnother outlet added that the preliminary autopsy report, submitted to the court in Barcelona on Friday, “rules out foul play and police support the following hypothesis”: [Gracey] The autopsy report documented “multiple injuries consistent with impact with rocks at the breakwater,” according to Barcelona-based El Periódico, which also wrote that toxicology test results were awaited.
Media outlets’ reports included details of a two-day search for Gracey. El País reported that at one point Barcelona police found Gracey’s cellphone in the possession of a thief whom the officers knew. But it was unclear whether Gracey lost the device or whether it was stolen from him, and according to El País, investigators ruled out the possibility that it had anything to do with the subsequent fall into the sea.
Meanwhile, El Periódico reported that police narrowed down their search after finding Gracey’s wallet and some of her clothes. The press also reported that Gracey’s parents had traveled to Barcelona and that upon completion of toxicology tests, her body would be handed over to her family for repatriation and burial.
In a statement, Gracey’s family members were asked to pray and remain alone as they try to “come to terms with this unimaginable loss.”
The statement also said, “Our family is heartbroken.” “Jimmy was a beloved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin and friend.”
Barcelona attracts millions of foreign tourists every year. It is generally considered safe, especially compared to major cities in the United States, which have significantly higher rates of fatal gun violence than other high-income countries.
Barcelona’s Mediterranean beaches are within walking distance of the lively city center and often attract young visitors. When Gracey went missing, she had wandered onto the coastline, which is lined with restaurants and nightclubs popular with locals and visitors alike.
Before police confirmed Gracey’s death, his aunt described him in an interview with the AP as “a great kid, a good Catholic kid” from the US midwest.
In a statement from the University of Alabama, it was stated that its community was “heartbroken” upon learning of Gracey’s death.
“Jimmy’s loss is deeply felt on our campus,” the university’s statement said. “Our condolences are with the Gracey family at this devastating time.”
Associated Press contributed reporting
