The family of James Gracie, a University of Alabama student who has gone missing, is uncertain whether his cellphone was lost or stolen after he disappeared from a nightclub in Barcelona.
“We really don’t know if it was lost, stolen, or something else entirely,” said Beth O’Reilly, the 20-year-old’s aunt, mentioning that his mother had been informed by Catalan authorities that the phone had been found.
“Beyond that, we don’t have much information at this point,” she added, expressing the family’s distress over the situation.
The aunt described Gracie as a “wonderful” son, highlighting the deep anguish his family is experiencing since his sudden disappearance. “We’re doing our best to take it minute by minute,” she said.
“We’re just trying to come together, get his story out, and make sure people can recognize his face, so if anyone knows anything, they can alert the authorities,” she continued.
Originally from West Elmhurst, Illinois, Gracie was last seen around 3 a.m. on Tuesday at Shoko nightclub, located near Barceloneta Beach. He was reportedly unable to return to his Airbnb, situated about two miles from the club.
Gracie, who also goes by Jimmy, had just arrived in Barcelona from Amsterdam, where he spent the previous weekend, as stated by family members.
While visiting friends, he became separated from the group at Shoko, according to his fraternity brother, Cabin McRae. “That was the last time I heard from him,” he mentioned.
McRae expressed a desire to stay hopeful about Gracie’s return. “It’s hard,” he noted. “We are trying to keep optimistic, but these times are tough. We’re scared.”
Authorities in Barcelona are currently examining cellphone records to trace Gracie’s whereabouts following his departure from the nightclub. They are trying to piece together his movements and have reviewed video footage that seems to show him leaving the venue, where an incident involving an unidentified individual occurred, raising concerns of potential foul play. However, no suspects have been identified yet.
Sources linked to the nightclub stated they would provide all relevant video footage from the nights in question to assist the investigation. Reports also indicate that police searched Gracie’s rented accommodation during their efforts. Aquatic units conducted searches in nearby waters, but results were unyielding.
Gracie’s father, Taras, is currently in Barcelona while the search for his son continues. His uncle, David, mentioned that Gracie had planned to return to the U.S. on Saturday.
A representative from the university noted that they have been in touch with the family during this distressing time. The State Department stated they are prepared to offer consular assistance to Americans abroad who need help. “When Americans go missing overseas, we assist their families with filing missing persons reports and help them navigate local procedures,” a spokesperson explained, while also indicating privacy concerns limit what else can be shared for now.
