University of Alabama student James Gracey’s cause of death confirmed – police will not pursue criminal charges: report

University of Alabama student Jimmy Gracey died by drowning after he fell into the water near a nightclub in Spain, his autopsy reportedly confirmed.

His death was ruled accidental and police will not pursue any criminal charges, according to an autopsy report obtained by Spanish outlet El Periódico de Catalunya.

Gracey, 20, disappeared while leaving the Shôko nightclub in Barcelona on March 17. He became separated from his friends and was last seen walking alone toward the rocky coastline close to the beachfront club.

University of Alabama student James Gracey smiling while wearing a red and white striped pullover.
University of Alabama student James “Jimmy” Gracey’s official cause of death was drowning.@kennacoc0 / TikTok
His body was recovered from the sea near Barcelona’s Somorrosto area two days later.

He sustained bruises consistent with repeatedly striking rocks for hours, according to the report.

Before the autopsy was completed, police were reportedly looking into the possibility that Gracey may have been drugged before he fell into the water.

Catalan regional police patrol as they deploy marine and underwater search teams in Barcelona's Olympic port to search for a missing U.S. tourist in the Mediterranean sea near Barceloneta beach in Barcelona, Spain, March 19, 2026. REUTERS/Horaci Garcia
Catalan regional police search Barcelona’s Olympic port for Gracey on March 19, 2026.REUTERS
Gracey’s wallet was found near the shore. His phone was retrieved from a man who claimed to have pocketed the device after he found it on the sidewalk.

Police do not believe the purported thief had any direct contact with Gracey.

Gracey, an Illinois native, was in Barcelona for spring break. He rented an Airbnb roughly two miles away from the club with some of his friends, who were the first to report his disappearance.

Back at the University of Alabama, Gracey served as the chaplain of the Alpha Phi Chapter of the Theta Chi Fraternity.

“Jimmy was a deeply loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend, and our family is struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable loss,” his devastated family wrote in a statement.

Gracey’s younger brother penned a heartbreaking tribute to his “Beautiful Big Brother Jimmy”

A young man with curly brown hair wearing a white University of Alabama jersey with the number 18 smiles in a stadium.
Gracey’s body was recovered two days after he was reported missing.Gracey Family

Police officers carrying a body found in the waters off the Port of Barcelona.
Police officers carry the body of James Gracey off the Port of Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, March 19, 2026.AP

James "Jimmy" Gracey with his aunt Beth Marren O'Reilly.
This undated photo shows James “Jimmy” Gracey, left, with his aunt Beth Marren O’Reilly.AP
“I’m gonna miss all the texts and calls about hockey, school, and life in general. I’m not ready to say goodbye to that,” the grieving brother wrote, adding elsewhere, “I would do anything to have just one more conversation with you.”

“When I visited you for the first time at bama [sic]  and I ran into your arms is a memory I will cherish forever, thank you for that.”

“Thank you for everything. I just can’t believe that’s all over. I will do my best to pass on your legacy. What a ride dude. I can’t wait to see you again in eternal paradise. I love you and fly high, Jimmy,” the post concluded.

Gracey’s toxicology report, which will reveal if there were any drugs in his system when he died, is still pending.