BARCELONA – A fraternity brother of James Paul Gracey, the 20-year-old University of Alabama junior who vanished during a spring-break trip to Spain, has described the final moments he spent with his friend inside one of Barcelona’s most famous nightclubs.

Gracey, who goes by Jimmy, had been enjoying the night with a group of friends at the world-renowned Shocko club early Tuesday morning when he became separated from the rest of the party. That was the last time anyone in the group has heard from him.

“Unfortunately, he was separated from the rest of the group later into the night, and that was the last time we’ve heard from him,” Cavin McLay told WBMA on Wednesday.

Both Gracey and McLay are members of the Theta Chi fraternity at the University of Alabama. The two met as freshmen and rushed the fraternity together, according to WVTM. Gracey, a native of Elmhurst, Illinois, is an accounting major.

The junior was reported missing after he failed to return to the Airbnb where he and his friends were staying. Spanish authorities quickly obtained surveillance footage from the club showing Gracey leaving at approximately 3 a.m. Tuesday with an unidentified person, a reporter for the Catalan newspaper El Periódico told CBS 42. The images have led police to suspect that someone may have been involved in his disappearance.

McLay spoke warmly about his missing “brother,” calling him “a great person, a man of upstanding character. One of those people that’s there for anyone when they ever need it.”

In October, Gracey was elected chaplain of the fraternity’s executive board. On his LinkedIn profile he wrote that he was looking forward to “leading with integrity, promoting a values-based culture and supporting the personal and spiritual growth of the chapter.” McLay added that Gracey also serves as one of the chapter’s philanthropy chairmen and has devoted significant time to giving back to others.

“He serves as a mentor for our younger guys and guides our brothers on their journey with their faith,” McLay told WVTM. “And he also serves as one of our philanthropy chairmen and devotes his time to giving back to others.”

Since Gracey’s disappearance, his fraternity brothers and family have launched an intensive search across Barcelona. Friends have been walking the beaches and streets handing out flyers in hopes that someone will recognize him.

“They’re out on the beach right now handing out flyers just getting as many eyes as we possibly can looking out for him,” McLay said. “It’s tough. We’re doing everything we can to keep our heads up and remain hopeful that we find him safe, but it’s a tough time. And, you know, we’re scared.”

Gracey’s father arrived in Barcelona on Wednesday morning. The group is now coordinating closely with local Catalan police, the office of U.S. Senator Katie Britt, the U.S. State Department, and the American embassy in Barcelona.

Catalonia police have formally opened an investigation and have recovered Gracey’s phone, McLay confirmed to WBMA after visiting the station. “We went into the station, and they told us that they had his phone,” he said.

As the search enters its second full day, friends and family continue to cling to hope that the popular, faith-driven student will be found safe. Authorities have not released further details about the unidentified person seen with Gracey on the surveillance video, and the investigation remains active.