Family seeks help finding 20-year-old University of Alabama student missing in Spain
An Illinois family is asking the public for help and more information following the disappearance of their 20-year-old son, who was on a spring break trip to Spain when he went missing.
The family of James "Jimmy" Gracey told ABC News they are spreading the word in hopes of finding the University of Alabama junior, who is from Elmhurst, Illinois, and was visiting with friends studying abroad in Barcelona when he was reported missing.
According to the Mossos d'Esquadra, the police force in Catalonia, a student was last seen in the Vila Olimpica area of Barcelona on Tuesday morning at about 3 a.m. Mossos officials said maritime police are searching near the water, and a helicopter had been dispatched to assist with the search.
Police said there was no indication of any criminal involvement at this stage.
Guardia Urbana, the police force in Barcelona, is also involved in the investigation and said they are considering all leads.
In a statement to ABC News on Wednesday, the Gracey family said they were "deeply concerned" about their son.
"Jimmy is a kind, responsible, and devoted son and brother. It is completely out of character for him not to check in with family and friends," they said. "We are working closely with local authorities and are incredibly grateful for the support we have received. We ask that you keep Jimmy in your thoughts as we continue to do everything we can to bring him home safely. Thank you."
The family said Gracey is about 6 feet, 1 inch tall and 175 pounds. They said a friend last saw him outside of Shoko, a club in the area of Vila Olimpica on the Barceloneta Beach, around 3 a.m. local time. He was wearing a white shirt, dark pants ("likely joggers," according to the family) and a gold rhinestone cross on a chain at the time.
"We believe the last time he had communication with any of his friends that he was there was around 3 or 4 a.m. local time in Barcelona, [on March 17]," Beth O'Reilly, one of Gracey's aunts, told ABC News. "His phone was located, and the police called his parents, and we were notified sometime middle of the night here in Chicago."
David Gracey, Jimmy Gracey's uncle, told ABC News on Wednesday that his nephew is the oldest of five siblings and is "very responsible," so when the family heard he was missing, they were surprised.
"Jimmy always checked in with his family, always was very good about staying in touch and being very responsible, so we're kind of all a little shocked of what's going on right now," David Gracey said, adding that he is "shocked that something like this could happen."
O'Reilly said her nephew's disappearance doesn't feel real.
"It just feels like you're in a bad dream. It's just the thing you think would never happen to your family, but here we are. And we're here to try to get the word out about Jimmy."
David Gracey described his nephew as an "avid" hockey player and a "very sweet kid, very kind," saying he "comes from a large family."
"Everybody loved Jimmy. Everybody gravitated to Jimmy," he said.
Cavin McLay, one of Jimmy Gracey's friends in Barcelona, said their friend group is working to spread the word about his disappearance.
"They're out on the beach right now handing out flyers, pictures of his face, and again, just getting as many eyes as we possibly can looking out for him and rais[ing] as much awareness as we can," McLay said, adding, "Jimmy is loved by so many. He's the guy that's always there when someone needs it, and we're heartbroken and remaining hopeful that we find him safe."
David Gracey said the investigation into his nephew's disappearance is ongoing, and his brother, Jimmy Gracey's father Taras Gracey, flew to Spain Tuesday night to meet with authorities.
ABC News attempted to reach out to Jimmy Gracey's parents for comment but was unsuccessful.
David Gracey said his family is now "just trying to get answers [and] spread awareness."
"We got to get the story out there, and hopefully someone has some information that can help us find him," he said.
The Gracey family is asking anyone with information to call a tip-line set up for Jimmy Gracey at 224-505-3886.
