Body Found in Barcelona as Authorities Search for Missing University of Alabama Student James Paul Gracey

On Thursday, March 19, 2026, Barcelona authorities located a body at Somorrostro Beach while searching for missing University of Alabama student James Paul Gracey, who vanished after leaving a beachfront nightclub earlier this week, police said. Catalan police reported the discovery at about 6 p.m. local time; officials have not yet confirmed the identity of the deceased.

Gracey, a junior accounting major from Elmhurst, Illinois, was last seen in the Port Olímpic area at the nightclub Shoko in the Villa Olímpica district, his parents, Taras and Therese Gracey, told investigators. Witnesses and friends said he became separated from a group of about 10 visitors connected to the university's Theta Chi fraternity. The fraternity president said he is in Barcelona but was not with the same circle when Gracey disappeared. Family members said Gracey was wearing a white shirt, dark trousers and a chain with a gold rhinestone cross when he went missing; police say they received a call about a possible disappearance at about 3 a.m. Tuesday.

The University of Alabama confirmed Gracey was on a personal trip and said university staff are in contact with the family and offering assistance. Catalan authorities are investigating the circumstances of the death and urge anyone with information to contact local police. Relatives have asked the public to come forward with any details that could clarify what happened in the hours before Gracey vanished.