Barcelona Police Make Disturbing Discovery in Search for Missing Alabama Student James Gracey
It's been two days since 20-year-old University of Alabama student James "Jimmy" Gracey went missing. And now police have made yet another disturbing discovery.
According to Gracey's mother's Facebook post, Gracey was last seen at around 3 a.m. after visiting the waterfront Shoko restaurant and nightclub on Tuesday. She said he was with friends, but they all got separated.
Gracey never made it back to his Airbnb, and they've been looking for him ever since.
Police Searching for James 'Jimmy' Gracey
Police soon got involved, and Fox News reports that authorities arrested a man with Gracey's phone, though no further details were offered. The outlet has also reported that Gracey's father, Taras Gracey, flew to Spain and is in touch with the police.
Gracey, who is from the Chicago area, went to Barcelona with friends to visit other friends studying abroad. The investigation is ongoing, but authorities have made another somber discovery.
Wallet Found at Sea
Chicago's WSL TV reports that authorities on Thursday shared that they found Gracey's wallet on Wednesday morning floating in the sea near the beach Somorrostro. The discovery has led authorities to begin searching that perimeter.
According to Gracie Johnson of the ABC affiliate in Birmingham, Alabama, Spanish police are using boats and a helicopter while also reviewing surveillance footage to piece together his movements after leaving the club.
Family Asks for Help
Gracey's family released a statement after his disappearance asking the public for help finding him and sharing details about the incident.
"Jimmy is a kind, responsible, and devoted son and brother. It is completely out of character for him not to check in with family and friends," they said. "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. Thank you."
The family said Gracey is about 6 feet, 1 inch and 175 pound and was last seen wearing a white shirt, dark (likely jogger) pants, and a gold rhinestone cross on a chain.
'Kind, Responsible, and Devoted Son and Brother'
"Jimmy always checked in with his family, always was very good about staying in touch and being very responsible, so we're kind of all a little shocked of what's going on right now," said David Gracey, Jimmy Gracey's uncle, to ABC7. "[I'm] shocked that something like this could happen."
He added that Gracey was an avid hockey player and "very sweet kid, very kind," who "comes from a large family. Everybody loved Jimmy. Everybody gravitated to Jimmy," he said.
According to WSL TV, Gracey is a junior at the University of Alabama. He graduated from Saint Ignatius College Prep in Chicago.
Cavin McLay, the president of Alabama's Theta Chi fraternity and a friend of Gracey's who also traveled to Spain, told Fox News Digital that Gracey is the chapter's chaplain and philanthropy chairman and is known for mentoring younger brothers and giving back to others.