James Gracey, a 20-year-old University of Alabama student who vanished Wednesday while in Barcelona, has reportedly been found dead.
A source with Mossos d’Esquadra authorities told Daily Mail that police divers discovered Gracey’s body on Thursday.
Although it’s unclear what led to his death, police previously said foul play had been suspected in his disappearance. A police source, however, told the outlet that he may have fallen from a rock formation near the Mediterranean Sea and drowned.
La VanGuardia reports that Catalan police located the body “four meters in the waters of Barcelona’s Port Olímpic.”
The Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences is expected to perform an autopsy.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Gracey, of Elmhurst, Illinois, vanished March 17 after going to Shôko beachfront restaurant and nightclub with friends, in Barcelona’s Port Olímpic area.
A friend said he saw Gracey at around 3 a.m. (local time). He failed to return his Airbnb rental and was reported missing the following day.
“A witness who happened to be passing saw him leave the nightclub, saw him heading towards this rocky outcrop,” a source told Daily Mail.
“From there he may have fallen into the sea and drowned.”
Security footage reportedly showed him leaving the nightclub with another person, who has not yet been identified.
Shortly after his disappearance and before the discovery of his body, police found his stolen phone. A source told FOX News Digital that authorities found the phone following the “arrest of a third-party individual.”
It’s unclear if the person is connected to Gracey’s disappearance or death. Police have not publicly named any suspects.
Earlier Thursday, police found Gracey’s wallet floating in water near Somorrostro Beach. The discovery happened after aquatic and drone searches began searching the area.
Gracey had been on a personal spring break trip to the country to visit friends who study abroad. According to CNN, Gracey’s flight back home was scheduled for Saturday.
The story is developing. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Family Handout]
