Found Deceased Spain - James “Jimmy” Gracey - UA Student from Chicago - Barcelona - 17 March 2026

[Rikissa]

But isn't there is video evidence that he was alone at the water's edge in this case? I don't think it should be released to the public necessarily, but his family, or a representative of their choosing, should hopefully be allowed to view it if they want to, IMO.

I guess toxicology results have to be trusted, and the stolen phone is suspicious, but doesn't it seem like police were completely on top of tracking the phone, arresting the thief, etc.? I don't see a reason to doubt due diligence, JMO.

Here's information from an article in post #217 in this thread how the phone was found:

While officers from Barcelona's Eixample investigation unit were searching for Gracey, the Barcelona City Police (Guardia Urbana) located his mobile phone. Officers who regularly patrol the beach stopped a pickpocket known for his activities in the area. The thief claimed to have found the phone, according to police sources. Upon checking the contacts on the phone, the Barcelona police discovered it belonged to Gracey. The officers do not know if the young man lost it or if it was stolen, but they believe it is unrelated to Gracey's subsequent fall into the sea.

The article, translated into English:

Las cámaras de seguridad de la zona grabaron a James Gracey cayendo accidentalmente al mar en Barcelona

La autopsia descarta indicios de criminalidad en la muerte del joven

elpais-com.translate.goog

Two different police forces, one looking for the missing man, the other looking out for pickpocketers.

 

[Sundog]

But isn't there is video evidence that he was alone at the water's edge in this case? I don't think it should be released to the public necessarily, but his family, or a representative of their choosing, should hopefully be allowed to view it if they want to, IMO.

I guess toxicology results have to be trusted, and the stolen phone is suspicious, but doesn't it seem like police were completely on top of tracking the phone, arresting the thief, etc.? I don't see a reason to doubt due diligence, JMO.

My understanding from what I have read in the news is that LE have stated that there is video evidence of JG walking TOWARD the water/rocky pier but not that the video actually showed him at the rocky pier.

I think that even if the death happened outside of a bar here in the U.S., a family would want to see the evidence to ensure that due diligence was done regarding the circumstances of the death. Often a second opinion autopsy and/or toxicology report is requested by family, which seems perfectly normal in a case like this.

 

[Charlot123]

All of these. His buddy says on IG that they didn’t leave him, that people should wait for autopsy results “before they judge.” But how can an autopsy prove they didn’t leave him or let him wander off?

Strictly my opinion. They were all in a bar, drinking. It might be the case of a collective blackout. If the last thing they remember is him talking to a girl, then in the morning they can wake up being sure that he is still with the girl.

I am reading more and more about alcohol effects on the brain. A lot depends on how we metabolize alcohol, but at their age (20es), I don't expect them to be super trained.

One more reason for at least one in the group staying sober during such trips.

This case, sadly, looks as preventable, but too common, and I feel horribly sorry for Jimmy's family. It is a real tragedy.

Just finished the memoirs of a person who had it all: good education, then, mafia life, losing money to ludomania, switching over to a safer game, but mainly, surviving. He drank a lot, I mean it, but ate a lot, too, so vitamin B deficiency was likely not strong, but prolonged. I know the true family story to a T so some pieces i read feel "WTH?" to me. I finally came to the conclusion that a mild form of Korsakoff syndrome may be unnoticeable for most, but alcohol affects one's brain much stronger than we care to think. We have to explain to kids that "blackouts" and "brownouts" are serious, ominous symptoms, not "normal when one drinks".

 

[drdetective]

Such an awful tragedy @MassGuy

I think he was lured to the end of the pier (team job with the girl) and maybe pushed.

 

[Sundog]

I think he was lured to the end of the pier (team job with the girl) and maybe pushed.

Why do you think someone would go through all that trouble when his wallet was found later floating in the water. What would be the motive and/or gain?

My own thoughts so far are that JG walked toward the water to have a pee, but I wonder why he would have walked on the rocky pier and not just stood at the edge of the sandy beach. Maybe there were people walking along the shoreline or close by and so he walked a bit out on the rocky pier to have some privacy. That is my theory so far, but I am waiting for toxicology results to come in and any other new evidence is revealed by LE.

 

[Hanoi2009]

Hi- I'm back. Had to step away for a bit after they found him. I'm the local. His father was able to see the entire video. He slipped and fell, hit his head on the rocks and went into the water. Never came back out. No one else but him there. His father is waiting another day or so until they release Jimmy's body so they can return home. The wake will be Monday and the funeral Tuesday- at least that's the latest info. I feel so sick to my stomach even typing this, but at least they know conclusively what happened and that there was no foul play. JMOO


<Admin Note: Comments on blurred posts is not allowed>

 

[Sundog]

I don't recall how far along Jimmy Gracey was in his undergraduate degree program at the University of Alabama, but I hope the university is looking into the possibility of granting a posthumous degree in his honor if his circumstances meet the criteria of UA Board policy for the awarding of posthumous degrees. This would be very meaningful for Jimmy's parents and siblings and also for his fellow fraternity members and other friends, faculty and staff at the university.

Sadly, I have had to write many posthumous citations over the years at our university and they are never easy. But it is a significant event for the families, friends and the university community members who knew and loved/cared deeply for them. It recognizes the student's achievements.

Board policy at UA (for the UA system) is that an undergraduate students must have completed a substantial portion of their academic program and be in good standing, etc. at the time of death.

Posthumous Degrees | Board Liaison

The University of Alabama at Birmingham,UAB

www.uab.edu

 

[Sundog]

MSN

Hundreds of University of Alabama students pack church for James 'Jimmy' Gracey's memorial mass​

The memorial mass, which got underway at 6 p.m., was standing room only in the back of the church. So many students arrived to show their respects that some resorted to kneeling on cushions out in the lobby. Many students arrived dressed in black suits and dresses.

 

[Sundog]

MSN

Funeral for James "Jimmy" Gracey, who died in Barcelona, to be held in Elmhurst, Illinois next week​

A visitation will be held from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, March 30 at Visitation Catholic Church at 779 South York Road in Elmhurst.

Gracey's funeral will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 31, also at Visitation Catholic Church.

A private interment will be held after the funeral. The vigil service and mass will also be streamed online.

 

[Sundog]

James P. Gracey

James P. Gracey Visitation : Monday, March 30, 2026, 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m. at Visitation Catholic Church, 779 South York Road, Elmhurst. Prayer service to be held at 7:30 p.m. Mass : Tuesday,…

www.gibbonsfuneralhome.com

James P. Gracey's obituary. An amazing life filled with much love and connection, an amazing family to remember him. Prayers for his mother and father, siblings, grandparents, godparents, aunts and uncles and all loved ones.

May he rest in God's eternal peace.

 

[Sundog]

Jimmy Gracey's funeral mass held in Illinois hometown church

Jimmy Gracey's funeral mass was held Tuesday morning in Elmhurst, Ill. after the 20-year-old University of Alabama student died during a trip to Barcelona two weeks ago.

www.foxnews.com

Beth O’Reilly, Jimmy Gracey's godmother, gave a eulogy at his funeral mass.
She began by thanking the church community, government officials who investigated the case, and a man named Raphael, a family friend living abroad in Barcelona who guided Jimmy’s father during the ordeal.

"Jimmy took the role as big brother very seriously," she said. "He loved each of his siblings and had a unique relationship with each of them. He loved playing shinny hockey in the foyer, basketball in the driveway, jumping on the trampoline and sunny days at the lake filled with boating and tubing during the day and hanging together at the fire pit during the night."

She described the community at Visitation Catholic church as a warm and loving place in which Jimmy was raised, and said that he was heavily involved in the Catholic community at the University of Alabama.

O'Reilly also reflected on the question of why Jimmy lost his life at such a young
"But as I reflect, I can't help but think God was preparing us for this day," she said. "I think about the night last fall when [Jimmy's mother Therese] and I were sitting in the backyard debating whether or not we should spend a ridiculous amount of money to bring both of our families down to Alabama for less than 48 hours for a football game. God knew. God knew we would treasure that crazy crowded weekend where we had a chance to see Jimmy's life there and why he was so happy in Tuscaloosa."

"Jimmy, please keep watch over us and help us navigate this loss. Please keep sending us little Godly winks, like when your mom and dad were looking for your final resting place the other day and settling on the perfect spot, settling on section 11, your hockey number," she said. "Or when you not-so-subtly got my attention the other day when I was walking into Costco and "Sweet Home Alabama" was blasting in the tire center."

 

[su5ie]

Jimmy Gracey's funeral mass held in Illinois hometown church

Jimmy Gracey's funeral mass was held Tuesday morning in Elmhurst, Ill. after the 20-year-old University of Alabama student died during a trip to Barcelona two weeks ago.

www.foxnews.com

Beth O’Reilly, Jimmy Gracey's godmother, gave a eulogy at his funeral mass.
She began by thanking the church community, government officials who investigated the case, and a man named Raphael, a family friend living abroad in Barcelona who guided Jimmy’s father during the ordeal.

"Jimmy took the role as big brother very seriously," she said. "He loved each of his siblings and had a unique relationship with each of them. He loved playing shinny hockey in the foyer, basketball in the driveway, jumping on the trampoline and sunny days at the lake filled with boating and tubing during the day and hanging together at the fire pit during the night."

She described the community at Visitation Catholic church as a warm and loving place in which Jimmy was raised, and said that he was heavily involved in the Catholic community at the University of Alabama.

O'Reilly also reflected on the question of why Jimmy lost his life at such a young
"But as I reflect, I can't help but think God was preparing us for this day," she said. "I think about the night last fall when [Jimmy's mother Therese] and I were sitting in the backyard debating whether or not we should spend a ridiculous amount of money to bring both of our families down to Alabama for less than 48 hours for a football game. God knew. God knew we would treasure that crazy crowded weekend where we had a chance to see Jimmy's life there and why he was so happy in Tuscaloosa."

"Jimmy, please keep watch over us and help us navigate this loss. Please keep sending us little Godly winks, like when your mom and dad were looking for your final resting place the other day and settling on the perfect spot, settling on section 11, your hockey number," she said. "Or when you not-so-subtly got my attention the other day when I was walking into Costco and "Sweet Home Alabama" was blasting in the tire center."

Thank you for the update @Sundog

What a beautiful eulogy and a testament to the fine young man Jimmy was God rest his soul

 

[Blurgle]

This, by the way, is why it's been made illegal to pee into the ocean in Spain. The hope is that the warnings (and threats of hefty fines) will prevent men from trying, falling in, and drowning.

edited for typo

 

[Vern]

This, by the way, is why it's been made illegal to pee into the ocean in Spain. The hope is that the warnings (and threats of hefty fines) will prevent men from trying, falling in, and drowning.

edited for typo

Since 2024 and comes with a 750 Euro fine.