An initial autopsy suggests that the tragic death of a 20-year-old University of Alabama student, who vanished during a spring break trip to Barcelona, was likely due to accidental drowning, according to a report by local authorities.
James “Jimmy” Gracey was reported missing early last Tuesday, prompting an intense search by Catalan police. A few days later, his body surfaced in the Mediterranean Sea. The preliminary police report, which was submitted to a local judge, found no evidence of foul play. However, the complete findings are expected to be released on Thursday, as reported by the Spanish newspaper, El Periódico.
Originally from Elmhurst, Illinois, Gracey had been enjoying a night out with friends at a renowned nightclub in Barcelona’s Port Olímpic district, an area adjacent to the sea promenade.
A police representative informed Fox News that Gracey’s phone was discovered with an individual previously known to local law enforcement for prior offenses. This individual, however, was not found to have interacted with Gracey and was instead charged with “illegal possession of another person’s belongings.”
The unfortunate news of Gracey’s demise, after he went missing on Tuesday, shocked many. His wallet was discovered in the water on Thursday, and police ultimately retrieved Gracey’s body from the sea near the nightclub on Friday afternoon.
On Thursday, Gracey’s wallet was found floating in the water. Police finally recovered Gracey’s body from the water near the nightclub where he had been on Friday afternoon.
Gracey, 20, was last seen at the Shoko nightclub in Barcelona, Spain, on March 17 during a trip overseas to visit friends during spring break. (Pau Venteo/Europa Press via Getty Images)
According to the newspaper, security camera footage shows Gracey walking by himself onto a dock near the Shoko club and falling in the water.
The preliminary autopsy report points to drowning as the cause of death with multiple injuries to the body consistent with repeated hitting against breakwater rocks, possibly during a swell.
Mossos d’Esquadra’s first line of investigation is reportedly accidental death. (James Breeden for Fox News Digital)
The police spokesman told Fox News that the investigation is ongoing and that their first line of investigation is accidental death. He noted that Gracey’s wallet was found intact with money, credit cards and documents, which lessen the likelihood of foul play.. They also confirmed the preliminary autopsy report did not indicate Jimmy suffered injuries prior to drowning.
Fox News is still waiting on confirmation of Spanish media claims and on whether Gracey’s body was found with his gold chain and rhinestone cross.
A Hungarian tourist reported being robbed of her gold necklace in the same area where Jimmy was last seen alive the night before the American student went missing.
