Alabama Student Dies in Accidental Drowning Abroad

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A newly discovered surveillance video shows 20-year-old University of Alabama student James "Jimmy" Gracey walking toward a dock in Barcelona before accidentally falling into the water. Gracey's body was recovered two days later after an extensive search. The video appears to settle early speculation about foul play, indicating Gracey was alone at the time of the incident.

Why it matters

The tragic death of a young American student abroad raises concerns about the safety of study abroad programs and the need for more comprehensive preparation and support for students traveling overseas, especially in high-risk areas near bodies of water late at night.

The details

The surveillance footage, reported by Spanish newspaper El País, shows Gracey walking toward a dock in Barcelona's Olympic Village area before falling into the water. Gracey was last seen at 3 a.m. on Tuesday at the Shoko nightclub, where he had gone while visiting friends who were studying abroad. A friend he was traveling with said Gracey stayed behind at the club while the friend returned to their Airbnb rental. Authorities searched for two days before finding Gracey's body in the water.

• Gracey was last seen at 3 a.m. on Tuesday at the Shoko nightclub.
• Gracey's body was recovered on Thursday after a two-day search.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Gracey family said they were grateful for the support they have been receiving, but the details of the incident and any potential next steps from the university or study abroad program have not been made public.