American Student Missing in Spain Is Nephew of CNN Producer

James 'Jimmy' Gracey, 20, was last seen outside a Barcelona nightclub while on spring break.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 3:03pm

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An American college student named James 'Jimmy' Gracey, 20, has gone missing while on spring break in Barcelona, Spain. Gracey, a junior at the University of Alabama, was last seen by a friend around 3 a.m. local time on Tuesday outside the Shoko club near Port Olímpic. Gracey's uncle is CNN senior producer David Gracey, and the family is working closely with Spanish authorities to try to locate him.

Why it matters

The disappearance of an American student abroad is a concerning situation that highlights the risks and challenges young travelers can face. As the nephew of a prominent CNN producer, this case has also drawn significant media attention and concern from the journalism community.

The details

According to the Gracey family, Jimmy Gracey had been out with friends the evening he went missing but became separated from the group. His fraternity brother, Cavin McLay, told CNN affiliate WBMA that Gracey was last seen around 3 a.m. outside the Shoko club. Gracey's phone has been found stolen, and authorities in Spain have located his wallet floating in the sea near Somorrostro Beach. The Catalan police force Mossos d'Esquadra is investigating the case.

  • On March 19, 2026, Jimmy Gracey was last seen around 3 a.m. local time outside the Shoko club in Barcelona.
  • Gracey's phone was found stolen, and his wallet was located floating in the sea near Somorrostro Beach.

The players

James 'Jimmy' Gracey

A 20-year-old junior at the University of Alabama who went missing while on spring break in Barcelona, Spain.

David Gracey

The uncle of Jimmy Gracey and a senior producer at CNN.

Cavin McLay

Jimmy Gracey's fraternity brother who last saw him around 3 a.m. outside the Shoko club in Barcelona.

Mossos d'Esquadra

The Catalan police force investigating Jimmy Gracey's disappearance.

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What they’re saying

“That was the last time we've heard from him.”

— Cavin McLay, Fraternity brother of Jimmy Gracey

“The police are being very helpful. My brother-in-law [Jimmy Gracey's father] is there in Barcelona, working closely with them. Obviously, they're trying to track down how the phone was identified and found, and really just trying to help us look everywhere for Jimmy.”

— Beth Marren O'Reilly, Aunt of Jimmy Gracey

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the risks and challenges young travelers can face abroad, as well as the importance of close coordination between families and local authorities when a student goes missing. It also underscores the personal impact such a situation can have on a prominent media family like the Graceys.