University of Alabama student Jimmy Gracey, 20, died from accidental drowning after falling into the sea near a popular nightclub in Barcelona, Spain, during his spring break trip, according to a preliminary autopsy report.

The autopsy, obtained by Spanish news outlet El Periódico de Catalunya, confirmed that Gracey drowned following the incident. Authorities have ruled his death as accidental, and police have stated they will not pursue any criminal charges.

Gracey, a junior from Elmhurst, Illinois, disappeared in the early hours of March 17 after a night out at the Shôko nightclub, a beachfront venue in Barcelona’s vibrant Port Olímpic area. He became separated from his friends around 3 a.m. and was last seen walking alone toward the rocky coastline and breakwater near the club.

His body was recovered from the sea two days later, near Barcelona’s Somorrostro beach area, close to the location where he was last sighted. The autopsy revealed bruises on his body consistent with repeatedly striking against rocks for several hours, likely as waves moved him along the coastline.

Prior to the full autopsy results, investigators had explored the possibility that Gracey may have been drugged, a common concern in cases involving tourists in nightlife districts. However, the preliminary findings pointed clearly to an accidental fall into the water, with surveillance footage from the area reportedly capturing the moment he fell from the breakwater without any intervention by others.

Gracey’s wallet was discovered near the shore. His phone was later retrieved from a man who claimed he had found the device on the sidewalk and pocketed it. Police do not believe this individual had any direct contact with Gracey or played a role in the incident.

The young student had rented an Airbnb approximately two miles from the nightclub with friends, who were the first to report him missing when he failed to return. Gracey was visiting Barcelona to spend spring break with classmates studying abroad.

At the University of Alabama, Gracey was an active member of the Alpha Phi Chapter of the Theta Chi Fraternity, where he served as chaplain. He was remembered by fraternity brothers as a mentor, leader, and someone who went out of his way to support others.

In a heartfelt family statement, loved ones expressed their profound grief: “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.”

Gracey’s younger brother shared a particularly moving tribute on social media, remembering his “Beautiful Big Brother Jimmy.”

“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,” he wrote. He also recalled a cherished memory: “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.”

The tribute continued: “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.”

A full toxicology report, which will determine whether any substances were present in Gracey’s system at the time of his death, is still pending.

This tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the risks associated with nighttime exploration in unfamiliar coastal environments, even in well-visited tourist destinations. Gracey’s family, friends, fraternity brothers, and the University of Alabama community continue to mourn the loss of a promising young man known for his warmth, faith, and dedication to those around him.