The body of an American student who went missing in Barcelona has been found, police in Spain say

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — The body of James “Jimmy” Gracey, an Illinois college student who disappeared while in Spain on spring break, was found in the water off the coast of Barcelona on Thursday, police said.

The press office of the Catalonia regional police in Barcelona told The Associated Press that Gracey’s body was found by police divers and positively identified. The University of Alabama student’s body was found near where she was last seen outside a nightclub with friends early Tuesday. He was visiting friends in Barcelona for spring break.

Catalan police said the investigation into the cause of death is ongoing.

Gracey, 20, was last seen outside Shoko nightclub in Barcelona but was separated from her friends at around 3am on Tuesday. Gracey never returned to the room he rented with friends, according to family members who lived in the suburb of Elmhurst, about 20 miles west of Chicago. They realized something was wrong when police contacted them and told them they had found his phone.

In a statement released late Thursday, the Gracey family asked for prayers and privacy.

“Our family is heartbroken when we confirm Jimmy’s body has been found in Barcelona. Jimmy was a much-loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin and friend, and our family is struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable loss,” the statement said.

“We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, support and prayers from around the world. … We ask for privacy as we navigate this painful time so that we can grieve together and begin to process this loss as a family.”

In an interview before police confirmed his death, Gracey’s aunt told The Associated Press that he was “just a great kid, a good Catholic kid from the Midwest.”

“He is a very good student, an honors program at the University of Alabama, a sorority chaplain, a great brother and a role model to his cousins,” Beth Marren O’Reilly said.

O’Reilly said his nephew left Alabama on Thursday and spent the weekend in Amsterdam before arriving in Barcelona on Monday. Gracey’s family did not immediately know how police seized his phone. O’Reilly said Gracey’s father, Taras, was in Barcelona and working with police.

Barcelona is a popular tourist destination that welcomes millions of foreign visitors every year. It’s generally safe, especially compared to major US cities where pickpockets are normally a tourist concern.

Its beaches, located within walking distance of the center of Barcelona, ​​are the center of attention especially for young visitors. The area where Gracey originated is a coastline with many restaurants and nightclubs frequented by locals and foreigners.

“The school community is heartbroken to learn of Jimmy Gracey’s death. Jimmy’s loss is deeply felt on our campus. We extend our condolences to the Gracey family during this devastating time,” the University of Alabama said in a statement.

Gracey was a member of the school’s Theta Chi fraternity, and the international organization said he served as chaplain to the school chapter as well as being its philanthropy chairman.

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O’Connor reported from Springfield, Illinois, and Raza from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Associated Press video reporter Laura Bargfeld in Chicago and writer Suman Naishadham in Madrid contributed.