2 months ago
A University of Alabama student who was found dead successful Barcelona aft going missing while vacationing evidently fell into nan oversea connected mishap successful position of surveillance cameras – and an autopsy revealed injuries connected his assemblage that were accordant pinch having many times struck a breakwater’s rocks.
Such specifications astir James “Jimmy” Gracey surfaced successful nan Spanish media arsenic a spokesperson for constabulary successful Barcelona told nan Associated Press that “all signs point” to nan 20-year-old’s decease arsenic having been an accident.
Gracey was past seen extracurricular nan Shoko nightclub astatine astir 3am connected Tuesday. The autochthonal of suburban Chicago raised siren erstwhile he did not return to a short-term rental wherever he was staying pinch friends who accompanied him connected their outpouring break to nan Catalan region’s capital.
And, successful a improvement that generated world news headlines, his corpse yet was recovered Thursday day successful 13ft heavy waters disconnected a formation adjacent nan Shoko club.
Spain’s El País newspaper, citing constabulary sources, reported connected Friday that section surveillance cameras captured video of Gracey stepping by himself toward a dock and falling into nan h2o “without third-party involvement”.
El Periódico, different outlet, added connected Friday that a preliminary autopsy study revenge successful tribunal successful Barcelona “rules retired foul play and supports nan constabulary presumption that [Gracey] accidentally fell into nan oversea and drowned”. Furthermore, nan autopsy study documented “several injuries accordant pinch hitting nan rocks of a breakwater”, according to Barcelona-based El Periódico, which besides wrote that toxicology trial results were pending.
The outlets’ reports contained specifications astir nan two-day hunt for Gracey. At 1 point, El País reported, Barcelona constabulary recovered Gracey’s cellphone successful nan possession of a thief known to officers. But it was unclear whether Gracey mislaid nan instrumentality aliases if it was stolen from him, and investigators ruled retired its having thing to do pinch nan consequent autumn into nan sea, according to El País.
Meanwhile, El Periódico reported that constabulary narrowed their hunt for Gracey aft uncovering his wallet and immoderate clothes. The outlet besides reported that Gracey’s parents had traveled to Barcelona, and his assemblage would beryllium released to his family for repatriation and funeral aft nan completion of nan toxicology tests.
A connection from Gracey’s family members asked for prayers and privateness arsenic they struggle “to travel to position pinch this unimaginable loss”.
“Our family is heartbroken,” nan connection besides said. “Jimmy was a profoundly loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, relative and friend.”
Barcelona draws millions of overseas visitors annually. It is considered mostly safe, particularly compared pinch awesome cities successful nan US, which has importantly higher rates of deadly weapon unit than different high-income nations.
The Mediterranean beaches successful Barcelona are wrong stepping region of its bustling metropolis halfway and often tie young visitors. When he went missing, Gracey had gone retired to a agelong of formation lined pinch restaurants and nightclubs that are celebrated pinch some locals and visitors.
Before constabulary confirmed Gracey’s death, his aunt described him successful an question and reply pinch nan AP arsenic “just a awesome kid, a bully Catholic boy” from nan US’s midwest.
A connection from nan University of Alabama said its organization was “heartbroken” upon learning of Gracey’s death.
“Jimmy’s nonaccomplishment is profoundly felt crossed our campus,” nan university’s connection said. “Our condolences are pinch nan Gracey family during this devastating time.”
Associated Press contributed reporting
