Divers Recover Body of Missing Alabama Student in Barcelona Waters

Spanish police divers recovered the body of missing American college student James "Jimmy" Gracey on Thursday evening from waters off a Barcelona beach, two days after he was last seen leaving a nightclub with friends during a spring break trip.

Gracey, 20, a University of Alabama student from Elmhurst, Ill., was found in the water near the Shoko nightclub, where he was last seen around 3 a.m. Tuesday before separating from his group, according to Catalonia's regional police press office. He never returned to the room he was renting with friends. His family learned he was missing when police contacted them after recovering his phone.

The case drew widespread attention among American college students traveling abroad during spring break season. Treasure Coast families with college-age students studying or traveling in Europe this spring break period face the same vulnerabilities that the Gracey case highlights. The State Department's travel advisory framework and consular services through the U.S. Embassy in Madrid are available to any American, including Floridians, who encounter emergencies abroad. Parents of University of Florida, Florida Atlantic and Florida International students traveling overseas are urged by consular officials to register trips at step.state.gov According to available information,.

Catalan police said their investigation into the cause of death is ongoing. No cause of death has been announced.

The University of Alabama issued a statement Thursday saying staff were "in direct communication with the family to offer every support and assistance possible." Gracey was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity and held two positions within the school's chapter, according to the organization.

Barcelona is a major international tourist destination that receives millions of foreign visitors annually. The area where Gracey was last seen is a beachside strip of restaurants and nightclubs frequented by both locals and foreign tourists.

Catalan authorities have not announced a timeline for completing their investigation into the cause of death.

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