Authorities Believe Death of U. Alabama Student Found in Spain was Accidental

“There are said to be several ‘loose ends’ that authorities need to tie up before the case comes to a close.”

Posted by Mike LaChance Monday, March 23, 2026 at 12:00pm 1 Comment

The possibility that he was drugged has not been ruled out. We will likely learn more in the coming weeks.

Jimmy Gracey’s wallet found intact, but drugging not ruled out in death of Alabama student in Barcelona

University of Alabama student Jimmy Gracey’s spring break death off the coast of Spain is primarily believed to have been an accident, but authorities have not yet ruled out the possibility he was drugged, a law enforcement source in Barcelona tells Fox News Digital.

However, the 20-year-old’s wallet was recovered intact, with cash, credit cards and identification all inside.

Investigators believe Gracey walked toward the water on his own and fell in while under the influence of drugs, alcohol or both, according to the source, but they’re not certain enough to close the case yet with autopsy and toxicology results pending.

The source also shed new light on the arrest of a man who had Gracey’s phone. The subject was previously known to authorities and has a history of prior thefts. However, according to the source, he is not believed to have taken it from Gracey directly.

He is believed to have found the phone on a street and picked it up — leading to his arrest later.

As far as investigators can tell, he didn’t have any contact with Gracey, the source told Fox News Digital.

Investigators are still reviewing surveillance video, the source said. Autopsy results and a toxicology report are not expected to be completed until next Thursday, and authorities are not expected to announce an official cause of death before then. There was no word on any potential signs of trauma Friday.

There are said to be several “loose ends” that authorities need to tie up before the case comes to a close.

Other active hypotheses that remain in play include that Gracey could have been drugged, taken drugs himself or ingested a large enough amount of alcohol to disorient himself.