BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — The physique of James “Jimmy” Gracey, a university pupil from Illinois who went lacking whereas in Spain on spring break, was discovered Thursday within the water off a Barcelona seashore, police stated.
Gracey’s physique was discovered by police divers and positively recognized, the press workplace for Catalonia’s regional police in Barcelona informed The Associated Press.
The University of Alabama pupil’s physique was discovered close to the place he was final seen exterior a nightclub along with his buddies early Tuesday. He was visiting buddies in Barcelona for spring break.
Catalan police say that their investigation continues into the reason for loss of life.
Gracey, 20, was final seen exterior the Shoko nightclub in Barcelona however separated from buddies round 3 a.m. on Tuesday.
Gracey by no means returned to the room he was renting with buddies, in response to relations who reside within the suburb of Elmhurst, about 19 miles (31 kilometers) west of Chicago. They realized one thing was flawed when police contacted them, saying they’d recovered his cellphone.
In an announcement launched late Thursday, the Gracey household requested for prayers and privateness.
“Our family is heartbroken as we confirm that Jimmy’s body has been recovered in Barcelona. Jimmy was a deeply loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend, and our family is struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable loss,” the assertion stated.
“We are profoundly grateful for the outpouring of love, support, and prayers from people around the world. … As we navigate this painful time, we kindly ask for privacy so that we may grieve together and begin to process this loss as a family.”
In an interview carried out earlier than police affirmation of his loss of life, Gracey’s aunt informed The Associated Press that he was “just a great kid, a good Catholic boy from the Midwest.”
“Very good student, honors program at University of Alabama, chaplain in his fraternity, you know, just an amazing older brother and role model to his cousins,” Beth Marren O’Reilly stated.
O’Reilly stated her nephew left Alabama on Thursday and spent the weekend in Amsterdam earlier than arriving Monday in Barcelona. Gracey’s household didn’t instantly understand how police got here into possession of his cellphone. Gracey’s father, Taras, is in Barcelona and has been working with police, O’Reilly stated.
Barcelona is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot that brings in tens of millions of overseas guests every year. It is mostly secure, particularly in contrast with main U.S. cities, the place vacationers’ greatest fear are usually pickpockets.
Barcelona’s seashores, positioned in strolling distance of its heart, are a most important draw particularly for younger guests. The space the place Gracey went out is a stretch of seashore with a number of eating places and nightclubs which can be frequented by locals and foreigners.
The University of Alabama stated in an announcement that the varsity group “is heartbroken to learn of the death of Jimmy Gracey. Jimmy’s loss is deeply felt across our campus. Our condolences are with the Gracey family during this devastating time.”
Gracey was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity on the faculty, and the worldwide group stated that along with serving as chaplain for the varsity’s chapter, he was a philanthropy chairperson.
O’Connor reported from Springfield, Illinois, and Raza reported from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Associated Press videojournalist Laura Bargfeld in Chicago and author Suman Naishadham in Madrid contributed.
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