Concerned relatives are now speaking out about missing University of Alabama student James Gracey.
A statement from Gracey’s loved ones in Illinois, obtained by WVUA, read “it is completely out of character for him not to check in with family and friends.”
Gracey, 20, was last seen on March 17 in Barcelona, Spain, where he was visiting with friends who were studying abroad.
Gracey, who is known as Jimmy to friends and family, was last seen outside the popular Shôko nightclub in the Port Olímpic area. He was dressed in a white T-shirt, dark pants, and a gold chain with a rhinestone-encrusted cross.
Gracey, who reportedly stayed behind at the club when his friends decided to call it a night, stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 175 pounds, the family has said.
“We are asking anyone who may have seen Jimmy or has any information — no matter how small — to please contact 224.505.3886,” reads the statement, which called Jimmy “a kind, responsible, and devoted son and brother.”
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Added the statement: “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.”
Gracey’s mother, Therese Marren Gracey, previously shared a Facebook post about her missing son.
“My son is a university of Alabama student who is visiting friends in Barcelona who are studying abroad,” reads the missing man’s mother’s post, which was shared to a Students in Barcelona 2026 Facebook group. “They went to Shoko last night. The police have his phone but he didn’t make it back to the air bnb. Has anyone seen him?”
While she claimed in the post the police had recovered his phone. Investigators, investigators have not said one way or the other if they have it.
It is being reported a person was taken into custody on Wednesday, March 18, but Us Weekly could not independently confirm that information. Reports also indicate police recovered Gracey’s wallet from the sea.
David Gracey, Jimmy’s uncle and a senior CNN producer in Washington, D.C., said that his nephew was scheduled to return to the U.S. on Saturday, March 21. Jimmy is a hockey player who helps his parents in caring for his younger siblings, David said.
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Beth O’Reilly, Jimmy’s aunt, appeared on NewsNation’s Jesse Weber Live on Wednesday, March 18, and said he was seen on security footage leaving a popular Barcelona nightclub with an unidentified person.
“We do believe that the police have the phone, which is part of the reason why it’s been very difficult to track down his location,” said O’Reilly said. “We don’t know whether it was lost, stolen, whatever, but we do have that, but beyond that, we don’t have a lot of additional information right now. Obviously, it’s an ongoing investigation, and my brother-in-law is there now in Barcelona trying to work with the authorities directly there.”
Anyone who may have any information regarding Gracey’s disappearance is asked to call (224) 505-3886.
