Missing U.s. Student’s Body Found In Spain

BARCELONA, Spain — Authorities successful Spain person recovered nan assemblage of a missing U.S. assemblage student.

The assemblage of 20-year-old James “Jimmy” Gracey of Illinois was recovered Thursday evening successful nan h2o disconnected a Barcelona beach, adjacent wherever he was past seen extracurricular a nightclub pinch his friends early Tuesday.

Police had recovered his telephone soon aft he went missing. Gracey was a student astatine nan University of Alabama, and was visiting friends successful Barcelona for a outpouring break trip.

Regional Catalan constabulary opportunity that their investigation continues into nan origin of death.

Police said Thursday they had recovered Gracey’s assemblage successful nan h2o astir 6 p.m. Police told nan Associated Press that nan assemblage was recovered disconnected Barcelona’s Somorrostro beach, adjacent wherever Gracey was past reported seen.

A squad of constabulary divers recovered nan body.

Gracey was past seen extracurricular nan Shoko nightclub successful Barcelona but separated from friends astir 3 a.m. Tuesday. Gracey ne'er returned to nan room he was renting pinch friends, according to family members who unrecorded successful nan suburb of Elmhurst, astir 19 miles westbound of Chicago. They realized thing was incorrect erstwhile constabulary contacted them, saying they had recovered his phone.

The Gracey family asked for prayers and privacy.

“We are truthful grateful for nan kindness and interest that has been shown for our family during this incredibly difficult time. We person made nan determination to region media interviews astatine this clip to attraction connected being together and caring for 1 another. Thank you for respecting our privateness and holding our family successful your thoughts and prayers,” a connection from nan family said.

In an question and reply conducted earlier constabulary confirmation of his death, Beth Marren O’Reilly, Gracey’s aunt, told nan Associated Press that he was “just a awesome kid, a bully Catholic boy from nan Midwest.”

“Very bully student, honors programme astatine University of Alabama, chaplain successful his fraternity, you know, conscionable an astonishing older relative and domiciled exemplary to his cousins,” O’Reilly said.

Barcelona is simply a celebrated tourer destination that brings successful millions of overseas visitors each year. It is mostly safe, particularly compared pinch awesome U.S. cities, wherever tourists’ biggest interest are usually pickpockets.

Barcelona’s beaches, located successful stepping region of its center, are a main tie particularly for young visitors. The area wherever Gracey went retired is simply a agelong of formation pinch respective restaurants and nightclubs that are frequented by locals and foreigners.

Gracey was a personnel of nan Theta Chi fraternity astatine nan school, and nan world statement said he held 2 positions wrong nan school’s chapter.

“We are keeping Jimmy and his family astatine nan forefront of our thoughts, and our unit are successful nonstop connection pinch nan family to connection each support and assistance possible,” nan University of Alabama said successful a connection connected Thursday.

O’Connor, Bargfeld and Raza constitute for nan Associated Press. O’Connor reported from Springfield, Ill., and Raza reported from Sioux Falls, S.D. AP writer Suman Naishadham successful Madrid contributed to this report.