The family of missing University of Alabama student James Gracey has said they are unsure if he lost his cell phone or if it was stolen from him — after he vanished from a Barcelona nightclub.
“We don’t know whether it was lost, stolen, whatever,” the 20-year-old’s aunt Beth O’Reilly told NewsNation after his mom claimed Catalonia authorities recovered the device.
“Beyond that, we don’t have a lot of additional information right now.”
O’Reilly, who described Gracey as “wonderful” and a “loving son” to his parents, spoke of the anguish the family is facing following his shock disappearance.
“We’re doing the best we can, taking it minute by minute,” she said.
“We’re all just hanging together and doing the best we can to get his story out so people see his face, recognize his face, and if they know anything, that they’ll bring it to the authorities.”
Gracey, from West Elmhurst, Il, was last seen Tuesday around 3 a.m. at the Shôko nightclub, located on Barceloneta beach, but failed to make it back to his Airbnb in Ronda de Sant Pere – located around two miles from the club.
He vanished just hours after flying into Barcelona from Amsterdam, Netherlands, where he spent last weekend, according to NBC Chicago.
Gracey, also known as Jimmy, was in the Spanish city visiting pals but got separated from his group while in Shôko, his Theta Chi frat brother Cavin McLay said.
“That was the last time we’ve heard from him,” he said.
McLay’s trying to stay optimistic Gracey will be found — but 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.”
A Barcelona law enforcement source told Fox News investigators are looking through the phone’s history in a bid to find the missing student.
Cops are trying to trace Gracey’s movements after he left the nightclub, according to the outlet El Periodico.
Investigators have reportedly reviewed video that purports to show Gracey leaving the venue – voted the world’s 7th best nightclub by Nightlife International in 2025 – with an unidentified person, leading authorities to suspect foul play is involved. No suspects or persons of interest have been identified.
Sources close to the nightclub have said they would hand over any video from Monday and Tuesday night to aid the police probe, as reported by Crónica .
The outlet also claims cops have searched his rental accommodation as part of the probe, while CNN reported a police aquatic unit searched waters nearby Wednesday, but results were “negative.”
Gracey’s dad Taras is now in Barcelona as the search for his son continues.
The student, the eldest of five, has a flight booked for Saturday to return to the US, his CNN producer uncle David said.
A university spokesperson confirmed the school is in touch with the family.
The State Department “stands ready to provide all consular assistance to Americans in need abroad,” a spokesperson told WBMA.
“When Americans are missing abroad, we can help their families and friends to file missing persons reports and help them understand local procedures. Due to privacy and other considerations, we have nothing additional to add at this time.”
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