Reports: Initial examination and surveillance footage show Alabama student fell into sea, drowned

An initial examination of the body of the University of Alabama student that was found at sea near Barcelona indicates that Jimmy Gracey drowned, according to Spanish newspaper El Periodico.

A University of Alabama student has gone missing in Spain. (Photo posted on “Students in Barcelona 2026” Facebook page)

It was conducted at the Institute of Legal Medicine of Catalonia. The examination revealed that the student had bruises from repeatedly hitting the rocks during the days between his disappearance and the discovery of his body.

Police believe thisrules out foul play and supports the conclusion of a tragic accident.

The official autopsy results will determine whether he had consumed alcohol or any other substances before falling into the water.

El Periodico states that Jimmy’s family is in Barcelona, awaiting judicial authorization to take their son’s body home for burial in his hometown of Elmhurst, Illinois.

Security camera footage from Port Olímpic and witness accounts indicated that he headed toward the breakwater alone. Officers reviewed security camera footage, which captured the moment he fell into the sea, according to El Periodico.

There are still some lines of investigation ongoing.

Police believe Jimmy left the nightclub with someone and are trying to figure out what prompted him to head toward Somorrostro Beach. Security camera footage shows him initially speaking with someone at the venue’s entrance before walking alone toward the coast.

Police also haven’t proven Jimmy’s mobile phone was stolen, according to El Periodico. A patrol from the Municipal Guard found it in the possession of a habitual offender from Barceloneta during a search early Tuesday morning. The man claimed he found it on the beach, and officers confiscated it, although they have not linked him to the theft. The police managed to unlock the phone and that’s how they contacted Jimmy’s family.