A fraternity brother of missing University of Alabama student James Paul Gracey has recalled the last moments they spent together before he suddenly vanished from a Barcelona nightclub — and how they’re all “scared” for him.
Gracey, who goes by Jimmy, had been hanging out with a group of friends during his spring break trip to Spain when he was separated from his pals inside the world-renowned Shoko club Tuesday morning.
“Unfortunately, he was separated from the rest of the group later into the night, and that was the last time we’ve heard from him,” Cavin McLay told WBMA on Wednesday.
“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,” McLay said.
Gracey and McLay are both part of the Theta Chi fraternity at the University of Alabama, where the pair met as freshmen and rushed together, according to WVTM.
Gracey, an Elmhurst, Illinois, native who is studying accounting, was reported missing after he failed to return to the Airbnb where he had been staying.
The junior was seen on surveillance footage leaving the hip nightclub with an unidentified person around 3 a.m. Tuesday, a reporter for the Spanish newspaper El Periódico told CBS 42.
That footage led police to suspect somebody might be involved in Gracey’s disappearance.
McLay described his missing “brother” as a “great person, a man of upstanding character. One of those people that’s there for anyone when they ever need it,” he told WVTM.
In October, Gracey was elected to serve as the chaplain of the fraternity’s executive board, saying he was looking forward to “leading with integrity, promoting a values-based culture and supporting the personal and spiritual growth of the chapter,” according to his LinkedIn.
“He serves as a mentor for our younger guys and guides our brothers on their journey with their faith,” McLay told the outlet. “And he also serves as one of our philanthropy chairmen and devotes his time to giving back to others.”
Since his disappearance, the group of friends has come together with Gracey’s family, helping in the search for the college student.
“They’re out on the beach right now handing out flyers, just getting as many eyes as we possibly can looking out for him,” McLay said.
“His dad landed here this morning. We’ve been working closely with local authorities and Sen. [Katie] Britt’s office, the State Department, US Embassy here in Barcelona.”
Catalonia police have opened an investigation into Gracey’s disappearance, revealing his phone was recovered by officials.
“We went into the station, and they told us that they had his phone,” McLay told WBMA.
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