Authorities have confirmed the discovery of the body of an Illinois college student who had been vacationing in Spain.
The body of 20-year-old James “Jimmy” Gracey was recovered Thursday evening from the water off a beach in Barcelona, according to the press office for Catalonia’s regional police in the city, which spoke to The Associated Press. Police divers located the body.
Officials found him near the area where he was last seen outside a nightclub with friends early Tuesday.
He never made it back to the room he had rented with friends. Authorities recovered his phone shortly after he was reported missing. Gracey, a student at the University of Alabama, had traveled to Barcelona to visit friends during a spring break trip.
Catalan police said they are continuing to investigate the cause of death.
Gracey, a student at the University of Alabama, was last seen outside the Shoko nightclub in Barcelona. According to his family, he became separated from his friends around 3 a.m. Tuesday.
He did not return to the room he was renting with friends, family members said. His relatives, who live in Elmhurst, a suburb about 19 miles (31 kilometers) west of Chicago, grew concerned after police contacted them to say they had recovered his phone.
Barcelona draws millions of international visitors each year and remains a popular tourist destination. It is generally considered safe, especially compared with major U.S. cities, where tourists most often worry about pickpocketing.
The city’s beaches, all within walking distance of the center, are a major attraction, particularly for younger visitors. The area where Gracey spent time is a beachfront stretch lined with restaurants and nightclubs popular among both locals and tourists.
“We are keeping Jimmy and his family at the forefront of our thoughts, and our staff are in direct communication with the family to offer every support and assistance possible,” the University of Alabama said in a statement on Thursday.
Gracey belonged to the Theta Chi fraternity at the university, where he also served in two roles within the chapter, according to the international organization.