Authorities share update on circumstances around Jimmy Gracey’s death
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An autopsy performed on the body of a 20-year-old University of Alabama student who disappeared during spring break in Barcelona last week indicates that she likely died of accidental drowning, according to a preliminary report by local police.
The body of James “Jimmy” Gracey, whose disappearance in the early hours of last Tuesday sparked a frantic search by Catalan police forces, was found floating in the Mediterranean Sea days later. According to the Spanish newspaper, the report submitted by the police to the local judge did not find any signs of foul play, but the final results will be announced on Thursday Hand Periodic.
The Elmhurst, Illinois native was with friends at a world-famous nightclub in the Port Olympic district next to the city’s waterfront promenade.
A police spokesperson told Fox News that Gracey’s phone was found on the person of a person known to local authorities for past criminal charges. It was stated that the person eventually decided not to contact Gracey and was instead charged with “unlawful possession of another person’s belongings.”
JIMMY GRACEY’S WALLET WAS FOUND SAFE, BUT THE USE OF DRUGS IN THE DEATH OF ALABAMA STUDENT IN BARCELONA WAS NOT PREVENTED
University of Alabama student Jimmy Gracey, 20, was found dead in Spanish waters after going missing on Tuesday. (Fox News Digital’s James Breeden, Gracey family)
Gracey’s wallet was found floating in the water on Thursday. Police finally pulled Gracey’s body from the water near the nightclub where it was found Friday afternoon.
POLICE MADE JIMY GRACEY’S DEATH AS AN ACCIDENT AFTER HE DISAPPEARED ON SPRING BREAK IN BARCELONA, AND AN AUTOPSY WAS DONE.
Gracey, 20, was last seen at Shoko nightclub in Barcelona, Spain, on March 17 during a trip abroad to visit friends over spring break. (Pau Venteo/European Press via Getty Images)
Surveillance footage shows Gracey walking alone to a pier near the Shoko club and falling into the water, according to the newspaper.
The preliminary autopsy report indicates that the cause of death was drowning and that multiple injuries to the body were likely sustained, consistent with being repeatedly struck by the breakwater rocks during the wave.
JAMES GRACEY, A UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA STUDENT, GOT LOST IN BARCELONA AFTER VISITING FRIENDS WHO WERE STUDYING ABROAD.
Mossos d’Esquadra’s initial investigation is reportedly accidental death. (Fox News Digital’s James Breeden)
A police spokesperson told Fox News that the investigation is ongoing and the initial investigation is accidental death. He stated that Gracey’s wallet was found full of money, credit cards and documents, which reduced the possibility of a crime. They also confirmed that the preliminary autopsy report did not show that Jimmy was injured before he drowned.
Fox News is still waiting for confirmation of the Spanish media claims and whether Gracey’s body was found along with her gold chain and rhinestone cross.
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A Hungarian tourist reported that the night before the American student’s disappearance, his gold necklace was stolen in the area where Jimmy was last seen alive.
