Disappearance Is ‘Completely Out of Character’

“We ask that you keep Jimmy in your thoughts,” said the family of Jimmy Gracey, 20, who was last seen on March 17 in Barcelona

“We are working closely with local authorities and are incredibly grateful for the support we have received,” the statement continued. “We ask that you keep Jimmy in your thoughts as we continue to do everything we can to bring him home safely.”

At the time he was reported missing, his family said Gracey was wearing a white T-shirt, dark pants and a gold chain with a rhinestone cross, adding that he is about 6’1” and 175 lbs.

Speaking with NBC News, fellow student Cavin McLay said he learned that Gracey was missing from a friend — and said he was told that Gracey got separated from the group that went out “and that was the last time they saw him.”

“It’s one of those things you think isn’t going to happen to your family but right now we just really want to get the word out, get his picture out there and just beg anybody that might have seen him the other night or ran into him and are afraid because they were doing something they shouldn’t have, just please come forward,” added Gracey’s aunt, Beth Marren O’Reilly.

Jimmy Gracey.Family Handout

NBC affiliate WMAQ reported that Gracey, originally from the Chicago suburb of Elmhurst, is a junior at the University of Alabama and a graduate of Chicago’s Saint Ignatius College Prep.

Jimmy’s mother, Therese Marren Gracey, previously shared a post on the Barcelona Expat Families Facebook group on Tuesday confirming her son had been reported missing.

In her post, she claimed that local police were in possession of his phone, but when reached by PEOPLE, a spokesperson said they could not confirm they had his phone, but that the investigation remained open and ongoing.

“In this particular case, we received a phone call at 1 am this morning and then an in-person report sometime this morning about the disappearance of this individual,” the spokesperson said. “We cannot say anything else at this point.”

Police went on to add that “there are a lot of cameras” in the area where he disappeared, so authorities are hopeful they’ll find something there.

A University of Alabama spokesperson previously told PEOPLE in a statement that Gracey was “on a personal trip” and that “staff are in touch with the family and those associated with them to offer support and assistance in any way possible.”

A photo taken outside Shôko Barcelona.Joel Papalini / Alamy Stock Photo

David Gracey, Jimmy’s uncle and a senior CNN producer in Washington, D.C., told the outlet that his nephew was scheduled to return to the U.S., on Saturday, March 21.  He added that Jimmy is a hockey player who helps his parents in caring for his younger siblings

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“We are asking anyone who may have seen Jimmy or has any information—no matter how small—to please contact 224-505-3886,” Jimmy’s family said in their latest statement.

WALLET FOUND!

I was just informed that Jimmy Gracey’s wallet was found down on the beach. Apparently nothing was removed from it.

Please continue to pray for his safe return! If you didn’t see my previous post, his church has started a 4-day rosary prayer campaign for him. See the last photo for details.

BACKSTORY:

Jimmy Gracey, a 20-year-old University of Alabama student from Illinois, traveled to Barcelona, Spain, to spend spring break with some friends traveling abroad. On the night of March 16, they went out to a popular water-front nightclub called Shoko. His friend left the club sometime around 3:00am, but Gracey chose to stay out later. He never made it back to the AirBnB he was renting with some friends and was reported missing.

Barcelona authorities obtained closed-circuit TV video in connection with the case, the Spanish newspaper El Periodico reported Wednesday. They report that he was spotted with another individual, said to be a brunette American female, outside the club. It has not been disclosed if the female was a friend of his or someone he just met that night.

Police were able to obtain his cell phone after arresting another individual. Inspector Carles Valles-Banus with the Mossos d’Esquadra, Barcelona’s police force, declined to discuss the details of the arrest or why the person had Gracey’s cell phone, but he told FOX News that investigators are looking through his location history to try to find him. They are also looking at camera footage from nearby businesses to see if they spot him.

In addition to analyzing his phone and watching camera footage, they are also talking to people who recently had any contact with him. Investigators stated earlier that they believe foul play was involved.

Cavin McLay, president of Alabama’s Theta Chi fraternity and one of Gracey’s friends who traveled with him to Spain, said he is well known within the chapter for his leadership and character. Gracey serves as the fraternity’s chaplain and philanthropy chairman, roles in which he mentored younger members and dedicated time to helping others.

“We’re keeping our heads up and remaining hopeful that we find him safe,” McLay said.

Gracey’s aunt described him as a responsible young man and the oldest of five siblings.

His uncle, a senior CNN producer based in Washington, said Gracey had planned to come back to the states on Saturday. He added that Gracey is not known to lose contact with his family and plays an active role in helping care for his younger siblings.

His parents and two uncles are currently in Barcelona. They are in contact with State Department officials. Please keep all of them in your prayers. I can’t imagine what they’re all going through.