Key takeaways:
- James Paul Gracey, a 20-year-old University of Alabama student from Elmhurst, Illinois, went missing in Barcelona after being last seen around 3 a.m. at the Shoko nightclub in Port Olímpic.
- Authorities and family are deeply concerned, with police investigating the unusual circumstances; Gracey’s phone was recovered, and the family is appealing for public help.
- The University of Alabama, Gracey’s former high school, and the U.S. State Department have expressed support, urging anyone with information to contact the family directly.
A University of Alabama student from Elmhurst, Illinois, James Paul Gracey, 20, has been reported missing in Barcelona, Spain, after a night out at a beachfront nightclub. Gracey was last seen around 3 a.m. on Tuesday at Shoko, a club located in the Port Olímpic area near Barceloneta Beach, where he had been visiting friends studying abroad during his spring break. Authorities and family members have expressed deep concern over his disappearance, describing it as “completely out of character.”
According to Gracey’s family, he was wearing a white T-shirt, dark pants likely joggers, and a gold chain with a rhinestone cross at the time he was last seen. He is approximately 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs about 175 pounds. His mother, Therese Marren Gracey, shared on social media that police have recovered his phone, although details on how it was found have not been disclosed. The family has been working closely with local authorities and has appealed to the public for any information that might help locate him.
Barcelona police confirmed they are conducting an open investigation after receiving a report of a missing person in the Port Olímpic area. Sources cited by Spanish media suggested that Gracey did not leave the club alone and that the circumstances surrounding his disappearance are unusual. His aunt, Beth Marren O’Reilly, told NBC News that the family’s concern grew after receiving a call about his phone being found. She urged anyone who might have seen Gracey or has information to come forward, emphasizing the family’s desire to find him safely.
The University of Alabama has expressed support for Gracey’s family and friends during this difficult time. A university spokesperson stated that staff are in contact with those connected to Gracey to provide assistance. Additionally, the Saint Ignatius College Prep community in Chicago, where Gracey graduated, has offered prayers for his safe return. The U.S. State Department has indicated readiness to provide consular assistance but has not commented specifically on the case. Authorities have requested that anyone with information contact the family directly at 224-505-3886.
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