University of Alabama student James Gracey was alone when he accidentally fell and drowned, footage shows

James Gracey, a student at the University of Alabama, tragically lost his life in Barcelona, Spain after falling and drowning, as reported by authorities.

Gracey, a 20-year-old from Elmhurst, Illinois, was seen on CCTV footage slipping from a rocky cliff into the sea during a spring break visit to friends, according to the Daily Mail.

Police confirmed on Friday that there was no indication of foul play in the junior student’s accidental death.


A young man with curly brown hair and a light pink polo shirt smiles for a photo.
James Gracey was found dead after falling into the water off Port Olímpic. Gracey Family

He was last spotted leaving Shôko nightclub on Tuesday night and was seen heading towards a rocky area by the beach at approximately 3 a.m.

The surveillance footage showed that Gracey was alone when he crossed the beach and fell into the ocean.

Following an intense search involving deep-sea divers, his body was discovered on Thursday in 13-foot-deep waters near Port Olímpic.

The autopsy results could take weeks to come back, authorities have said.


Here is the latest on missing University of Alabama student James Gracey


Gracey’s friends and family have said they are devastated by the loss but celebrated his faith and character.

His grieving girlfriend Kenna Cohen posted on TikTok that she was “forever in debt for having been lucky enough to be loved by the most pure-hearted, sweet, devoted and selfless soul.”

Gracey, who went by the nickname “Jimmy,” was the chaplain of the Alpha Phi Chapter of the Theta Chi Fraternity.

Gracey was “a young man of deep faith” who had a “genuine care for others,” Mike Mayer, the CEO of the fraternity said.

“There are no words to describe the pain of losing our beloved brother, Jimmy,” said Cavin McLay the president of Theta Chi Alpha Phi Chapter.

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