The Tragic Story of a Young American Student in Barcelona
A young American student who tragically drowned during spring break in Spain may have been under the influence of drugs before his death, according to a recent report. James “Jimmy” Gracey, 20, was a junior at the University of Alabama and had traveled to Barcelona to visit friends studying abroad.
Gracey went missing after being separated from his friends around 3am on Wednesday night. He was last seen at the beachfront nightclub Shôko, which is located in the La Barceloneta neighborhood of Barcelona. His body was found by police divers in about 12ft of water in front of Port Olympic at around 6pm on Thursday.
Possible Factors in the Incident
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that Gracey may have been drugged before his death. A source told Fox News Digital that it is believed he walked toward the water on his own and fell in while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or both.
The police arrested a man who had stolen Gracey’s phone, but they do not believe he had any direct contact with the student. According to the source, the man is thought to have found the phone on the street before taking it.
Despite this, several ‘loose ends’ remain to be clarified by the police. The results of the autopsy and toxicology tests are still pending and are expected to be completed by next Thursday.
The Family’s Plea for Help
Gracey’s disappearance came to light when his mother, Therese, issued an urgent plea for help on Facebook earlier this week. She wrote, “The police have his phone but he never made it back to his Airbnb.” She urged anyone who may have seen her son to come forward and contact her.
Therese mentioned that the police found her son’s phone when they arrested someone, but she claimed that law enforcement shared very few details with the family. She wrote online, “What we’ve put together is that his phone was stolen and the police just happened to pick the guy who stole it up.”
Gracey was wearing a white T-shirt and dark pants, likely joggers, as well as a gold chain with a rhinestone cross when he disappeared.
Details About the Nightclub
Shôko, the nightclub where Gracey was last seen, is known for its bustling atmosphere and Mediterranean views. It is popular among locals and visitors alike and has been ranked the seventh best nightclub in the world by Nightlife International.
Initial Findings and Ongoing Investigations
According to a Spanish judicial source, the preliminary autopsy report recorded an initial finding of accidental death. However, a full autopsy is still being conducted, which typically confirms the findings of the initial report.
“The relevant arrangements have been made with the victim’s relatives, who are in Barcelona,” police said in an earlier statement. Catalan law enforcement were assisted by a sighting of Gracey walking towards the sea on the beach adjacent to the nightclub, then again on the breakwater.
“A witness who happened to be passing saw him leave the nightclub, saw him heading towards this rocky outcrop,” a Mossos d’Esquadra source earlier told the Daily Mail. “From there he may have fallen into the sea and drowned.”
The Daily Mail has reached out to the Catalan regional police force and the Gracey family for further comment.
