March 19 (UPI) — A 20-year-old student from University of Alabama is missing in Barcelona, Spain, after an evening at a nightclub.
James “Jimmy” Gracey of Elmhurst, Ill., went to Spain for spring break to visit friends studying abroad. His family said he visited Shoko Barcelona, a nightclub near the Villa Olimpica area, Monday and disappeared early Tuesday morning after being separated from his friends at the club.
The family said he was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, dark pants that were likely joggers and a gold chain with a rhinestone cross. He is 6 feet 1 inches tall and about 175 pounds.
His aunt, Beth Marren O’Reilly, told NBC News that his “parents got a phone call that his phone was picked up, and that’s what drove them to be worried.
“We don’t know a whole lot beyond that. At this point, our focus is really just on finding him.”
The Mossos, or Catalan Police, told CBS News that part of the investigation is now focused on the sea, with boats, divers and drones deployed in the Mediterranean. Another search is in the area near the club. They are following several theories, including potential foul play.
The El Periódico newspaper in Spain reported that sources told them Gracey’s wallet was found floating in the sea, but officials have not confirmed it.
Shoko Nightclub told CBS News Chicago that it has given the security video of that night to local police.
Cavin McLay, junior and president of the university’s Theta Chi fraternity, said he learned from a friend that Gracey was missing, NBC reported. He said he was told that a group at the club got separated, “and that was the last time they saw him.”
“My heart sank to my stomach. It’s definitely not a good text to wake up to,” he said.
The group that Gracey was out with said they didn’t have any encounters that made them worried for their safety before Gracey disappeared, McLay told NBC.
“First thoughts were, hopefully he just lost his phone and tried making his way back on his own,” he said.
McLay said he is not staying with the same group of friends as Gracey and that there are about 10 friends visiting for spring break.
“Jimmy is a kind, responsible and devoted son and brother,” his parents, Taras and Therese Gracey, said in a statement. “It is completely out of character for him not to check in with family and friends.”
“He’s a great big brother, he’s a great son, he’s a great nephew, he’s just very beloved,” O’Reilly said. “He’s a very responsible kid, which is why we’re very worried. This is pretty out of character for him not to be in touch with friends and family.”
The U.S. Department of State is helping the family, and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said he has been in touch with the family.
“UA staff are in touch with the family and those associated with them to offer support and assistance in any way possible,” a spokesperson from the university said.