A 20-year-old University of Alabama student on spring break in Barcelona has been missing for more than 24 hours.
James “Jimmy” Gracey, a 20-year-old from Illinois, was visiting friends in who are studying abroad when he vanished in the predawn hours on Monday.
The junior, who is a member of Theta Chi fraternity, was last seen about 3 a.m. on March 17, said family spokeswoman Noreen Heron.
He was last seen outside of Shoko, a club in Villa Olimpica on Barceloneta Beach.
His mother, Therese Gracey, said the police have her son’s phone but said he never made it back to his Airbnb. There are multiple UA students in Barcelona for spring break.
Gracey “was wearing a white t shirt and dark pants (probably joggers). He wears a gold chain with a rhinestone cross. He was last seen by his friend at Shoko around 3 am. The friend was leaving but Jimmy stayed,” she posted on Facebook.
She said Wednesday morning that her son has still not been found. She said she is in constant contact with various police investigators.
“We are conducting the initial checks and have taken a report in an open investigation. A call was received early yesterday morning, around 1:00 AM, reporting a possible disappearance. The disappearance was reported to have occurred on March 17, 2026, at 3:00 AM, in the Port Olímpic area,” Catalonia police said in a statement Tuesday to NBC 5 Chicago.
He is a graduate of St Ignatius College Prep and has four other siblings. The family lives in Elmhurst, IL.
Jimmy Gracey’s father, Taras, is already in Spain, and his mother is likely to go there soon.
“Jimmy is a kind, responsible, and devoted son and brother,” the family said in a Wednesday statement. “It is completely out of character for him not to check in with family and friends.”
“We are working closely with local authorities and are incredibly grateful for the support we have received. We ask that you keep Jimmy in your thoughts as we continue to do everything we can to bring him home safely.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact 224-505-3886.
