A body was recovered from the Mediterranean sea yards away from where University of Alabama student James Gracey vanished while on spring break in Barcelona.
Gracey, 20, of Elmhurst, Illinois, was last seen in video surveillance footage leaving Shôko nightclub near Port Olímpic around 3 a.m. Tuesday.
A Catalan dive team found the body Thursday, in waters about 13 feet deep just off the shore nearby, according to the Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia.
The outlet also reported that Gracey’s father, who traveled to the popular destination to search for his son, has been notified, and the heartbreaking development has led investigators to rule out foul play.
Gracey, who goes by Jimmy, was in the Spanish city to visit friends studying abroad when he disappeared.
The nightmare began when he somehow got separated from his group of pals inside the world-renowned club.
His friends reported him missing after he failed to turn up at their Airbnb about two miles away in Ronda de Sant Pere.
Authorities, who once suspected foul play was involved, found Gracey’s wallet floating in the waters off Somorrostro beach, which starts a few hundred feet from the nightclub, on Wednesday. His phone was also recovered by police.
One of Gracey’s frat brothers retraced Gracey’s last movements that night during an interview with WBMA.
“Unfortunately, he was separated from the rest of the group later into the night, and that was the last time we’ve heard from him,” Cavin McLay told the outlet.
“It’s tough. We’re doing everything we can to keep our heads up and remain hopeful that we find him safe, but it’s a tough time. And, you know, we’re scared,” said McLay, adding that Gracey served as a “mentor” to guide other members of Theta Chi “on their journey with their faith.”
Gracey’s devastated parents previously described the junior student as a “kind, responsible, and devoted son and brother.”
