Tragic Loss of University of Alabama Student During Barcelona Spring Break
Emotional Tribute from Kenna Cohen
Kenna Cohen expressed her heartfelt sorrow following the untimely passing of her boyfriend, James Paul Gracey, a 20-year-old student from the University of Alabama, during a Spring Break trip in Barcelona. She shared cherished moments through photos and conveyed her gratitude for their time together, describing him as kind, devoted, and selfless. Cohen expressed a desire to turn back time but emphasized her appreciation for the last six months they spent together. She urged others to pray for Gracey’s family and to keep his memory alive, with her message resonating widely across social media. The couple had been dating for six months, while Cohen is a student at the University of Georgia and hails from Atlanta. Gracey was on track to graduate next year.
Investigation Insights
Investigation Details
Authorities revealed that surveillance footage captured Gracey walking alone near the dock at Port Olimpic before he fell into the water. He had spent the previous night at Shoko nightclub, a well-known spot by the sea, leaving around 3 a.m. without returning to his lodging. His family reported him missing shortly after, prompting search teams to comb the nearby beach. Divers initially discovered his wallet floating in the water, and subsequently located his body approximately 13 feet deep in the same vicinity.
Police also recovered his phone from a pickpocket who claimed to have found it, but officials have not confirmed whether it was lost or stolen prior to the fall.
About James Gracey
Who Was James Gracey?
Gracey, originally from Elmhurst, Illinois, traveled to Spain for Spring Break to reconnect with friends and meet fraternity brothers studying abroad. He was last seen near the beach before his disappearance. Initially, authorities considered the possibility of foul play but later indicated that the evidence suggests an accidental incident. An autopsy at the Institute of Legal Medicine in Catalonia will ascertain the precise cause of death. Gracey was an ice hockey player, and local teams have paid tribute to him following his passing. His family expressed their heartbreak and requested privacy during this difficult time. Condolences have also poured in from public figures, including Tammy Duckworth, who described the loss as devastating.