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Missing Alabama Student Sparks Urgent Search in Barcelona

3/19/2026

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Summary

Story summary

James 'Jimmy' Gracey, a 20-year-old University of Alabama student, went missing in Barcelona, Spain, on March 17, 2026.
He was last seen outside the Shoko nightclub around 3 a.m., with his phone recovered after being stolen.
His father has traveled to Barcelona to assist in the search, with involvement from the U.S. State Department limited by privacy concerns.
The family continues to seek public assistance in locating him.

History

Historical Context

Jim Thompson, an American businessman known for revitalizing Thailand's silk industry, vanished in Malaysia's Cameron Highlands on March 26, 1967. His disappearance prompted extensive searches involving over 500 participants but yielded no clues. The case generated significant media attention, leading to various theories about his fate, highlighting ongoing concerns about safety for Americans abroad, especially students studying overseas.

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Story summary

James 'Jimmy' Gracey, a 20-year-old University of Alabama student, went missing in Barcelona, Spain, on March 17, 2026.
He was last seen outside the Shoko nightclub around 3 a.m., with his phone recovered after being stolen.
His father has traveled to Barcelona to assist in the search, with involvement from the U.S. State Department limited by privacy concerns.
The family continues to seek public assistance in locating him.

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