James Gracey, a 20-year-old student at the University of Alabama, who went missing on Wednesday in Barcelona, has tragically been found deceased.
The discovery of Gracey’s body was made by police divers on Thursday, according to a source from the Mossos d’Esquadra, as reported by the Daily Mail. More details can be found in the article.
The exact circumstances surrounding his death remain uncertain. Initially, police suspected foul play in his disappearance. However, a police source suggested he might have slipped from a rock formation near the Mediterranean Sea, leading to a drowning incident.
Contrary to earlier suspicions, La VanGuardia reports that Catalan police found the body “four meters deep in the waters of Barcelona’s Port Olímpic,” and have now ruled out foul play. Additional information is available in the full report.
An autopsy will be conducted by the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences to determine the precise cause of death.
Previously, as reported by CrimeOnline, Gracey, who hailed from Elmhurst, Illinois, was last seen on March 17 after visiting Shôko, a beachfront restaurant and nightclub, alongside friends in the Port Olímpic area of Barcelona.
A friend said he saw Gracey at around 3 a.m. (local time). He failed to return to his Airbnb rental and was reported missing the following day.
“A witness who happened to be passing saw him leave the nightclub, saw him heading towards this rocky outcrop,” a source told Daily Mail.
“From there he may have fallen into the sea and drowned.”
Security footage reportedly showed him leaving the nightclub with another person, who has not yet been identified.
Shortly after his disappearance and before the discovery of his body, police found his stolen phone. A source told FOX News Digital that authorities found the phone following the “arrest of a third-party individual.”
It’s unclear if the person is connected to Gracey’s disappearance or death. Police have not publicly named any suspects.
Earlier Thursday, police found Gracey’s wallet floating in water near Somorrostro Beach. The discovery happened after aquatic and drone searches began searching the area.
Gracey had been on a personal spring break trip to the country to visit friends who study abroad. According to CNN, Gracey’s flight back home was scheduled for Saturday.
The story is developing. Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: Family Handout]
