University of Alabama student James Gracey’s cause of death confirmed – police will not pursue criminal charges: report

University of Alabama student Jimmy Gracey died by drowning after he fell into the water near a nightclub in Spain, his autopsy reportedly confirmed.

His death was ruled accidental and police will not pursue any criminal charges, according to an autopsy report obtained by Spanish outlet El Periódico de Catalunya.

Gracey, 20, disappeared while leaving the Shôko nightclub in Barcelona on March 17. He became separated from his friends and was last seen walking alone toward the rocky coastline close to the beachfront club.

University of Alabama student James “Jimmy” Gracey’s official cause of death was drowning.@kennacoc0 / TikTok
His body was recovered from the sea near Barcelona’s Somorrosto area two days later.

He sustained bruises consistent with repeatedly striking rocks for hours, according to the report.

Before the autopsy was completed, police were reportedly looking into the possibility that Gracey may have been drugged before he fell into the water.

5
Catalan regional police search Barcelona’s Olympic port for Gracey on March 19, 2026.REUTERS
Gracey’s wallet was found near the shore. His phone was retrieved from a man who claimed to have pocketed the device after he found it on the sidewalk.

Police do not believe the purported thief had any direct contact with Gracey.

Gracey, an Illinois native, was in Barcelona for spring break. He rented an Airbnb roughly two miles away from the club with some of his friends, who were the first to report his disappearance.

Back at the University of Alabama, Gracey served as the chaplain of the Alpha Phi Chapter of the Theta Chi Fraternity.

HUNDREDS SHOW UP TO JIMMY GRACEY’S MEMORIAL

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Friends, classmates, and fraternity brothers of James “Jimmy” Gracey gathered Monday for a memorial Mass honoring the University of Alabama student whose body was recovered from the sea near Barcelona last week.

The service, organized by Gracey’s Theta Chi fraternity brothers and Bama Catholic, was held at St. Francis of Assisi University Parish on campus. Organizers said attendance exceeded expectations, with printed programs running out and a virtual version quickly created to accommodate the crowd—an indication, many said, of the impact Gracey had on the community.

“This tragic tragedy is really terrible for our entire school,” University of Alabama student Kiersten Martin said. “As you can see, all the people behind me have also come here to celebrate Jimmy and the impact that he has made on their lives as well. I think we’re all growing together because of this, but overall, it’s awful, and we’re here to support each other in any way we can.”

As the campus mourns, students described leaning on faith and one another while remembering a young man whose presence resonated beyond those who knew him personally.

Members of the Theta Chi fraternity’s Alpha Phi chapter also held a private vigil Tuesday, where selected speakers reflected on Gracey’s life, faith, and legacy. The fraternity noted that several of his brothers had participated in search efforts in Spain before his body was located Thursday.

Preliminary findings reported by Spanish outlet El Periódico indicate Gracey likely died by drowning. An initial examination conducted at the Institute of Legal Medicine of Catalonia found injuries consistent with repeatedly striking rocks in the days between his disappearance and the recovery of his body.

Authorities in Spain have said foul play is not suspected and are treating the case as a tragic accident after video showed him on the dock by himself before falling into the water. Final autopsy and toxicology results are pending and are expected to determine whether alcohol or other substances were a factor.

Gracey’s family remains in Barcelona awaiting judicial authorization to return his body to the United States, where he is expected to be laid to rest in his hometown of Elmhurst, Illinois.