Investigation into Death of University of Alabama Student in Spain

Authorities are looking into the death of University of Alabama student Jimmy Gracie, who drowned in Spain. While the circumstances suggest it was an accident, there is concern he may have been under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or possibly both at the time.

Gracie, aged 20, was reportedly intoxicated when he walked off the coast of Olympic Harbor and fell into the water, according to sources in Barcelona. Autopsy and toxicology results are still pending, leaving the case open.

It’s unclear whether Gracie took any drugs on his own or if someone else gave them to him. Just hours before his death, he had been with friends at a popular nightclub.

A spokesperson for Catalonia’s regional police confirmed that they believe Gracie’s death was accidental but did not provide details about the moments leading up to it.

The police declined to confirm a report from a Spanish newspaper that a video showing Gracie falling into the water exists.

Gracie’s wallet, which was found floating nearby, was recovered intact, containing cash, credit cards, and IDs. There was also an arrest involving a man who had Gracie’s cell phone. However, reports suggested that the man simply found the phone and picked it up, despite his background in theft.

Police seem to believe the man’s story, even though they don’t think he had direct interaction with Gracie.

Gracie was last seen early Tuesday morning when his friends reported him missing after he failed to return to their accommodation about three miles away. He was reportedly seen heading toward the rocky shoreline near a club.

His body was discovered later, at a depth of 13 feet, approximately 500 feet from the nightclub he had left around 3 a.m.

He was visiting a friend studying abroad in Spain and was known to be the pastor of the Alpha Phi chapter of Theta Chi fraternity.