Search for college student missing in Barcelona partially focused on sea

2 days ago 17

Local reports accidental the hunt for a missing University of Alabama pupil from the Chicago suburbs, who disappeared connected a travel to Barcelona, Spain, is partially focused successful the sea.

James "Jimmy" Gracey, 20, from Elmhurst, Illinois, was visiting friends studying overseas during his outpouring break. His household said helium disappeared aboriginal Tuesday greeting aft visiting Shoko Barcelona, a nine adjacent the Villa Olimpica country connected Barceloneta Beach .

Gracey's household said helium was past seen wearing a achromatic T-shirt, acheronian pants that were apt joggers, and a golden concatenation with a rhinestone cross. He's described arsenic 6 feet, 1 inch gangly and astir 175 pounds.

A property serviceman astatine the Communications Office of the Mossos, oregon Catalan Police, successful Barcelona told CBS News that portion of the probe is present centered connected the sea, with boats, divers and drones deployed. Another hunt besides continues adjacent the nine wherever Gracey was past seen.

Officials said investigators are pursuing respective theories, including that foul play whitethorn person been involved.

The El Periódico paper successful Spain reported that sources told them Gracey's wallet was recovered floating successful the sea. CBS News has reached retired to officials for much accusation and are waiting to perceive back.

Spanish newspapers person besides reported that Barcelona constabulary are looking into information video from the club. Shoko Nightclub told CBS News Chicago done messages that they person fixed the information video of the nighttime Gracey was past seen to section instrumentality enforcement.

"Jimmy is simply a kind, responsible, and devoted lad and brother," the Gracey household wrote successful a ceremonial statement. "It is wholly retired of quality for him not to cheque successful with household and friends."

"He's a large large brother, he's a large son, he's a large nephew, he's conscionable precise beloved," said his aunt Beth Marren O'Reilly. "He's a precise liable kid, which is wherefore we're precise worried. This is beauteous retired of quality for him not to beryllium successful interaction with friends and family."

Gracey's household is getting assistance from the U.S. State Department. Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin confirmed helium has been successful interaction with the household arsenic well.

Anyone with accusation is asked to interaction 224-505-3886.

Victor Jacobo contributed to this report.

In: