Jimmy Gracey missing: Chicago-area family seeks help finding son who disappeared in Barcelona

ELMHURST, Ill. - The family of a 20-year-old Elmhurst man is asking for the public’s help in locating him after he went missing while traveling abroad in Spain.

What we know:

James "Jimmy" Gracey, a junior at the University of Alabama, was last seen around 3 a.m. Tuesday outside a nightclub in Barcelona, where he was visiting friends during spring break, according to his family.

Gracey was last seen outside the Shoko club in the city’s Villa Olímpica area near Barceloneta Beach. He was wearing a white shirt, dark pants and a chain with a gold rhinestone cross.

He is described as about 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing approximately 175 pounds.

Gracey is a graduate of St. Ignatius College Prep and lives in Elmhurst with his parents, Taras and Therese Gracey, and his four siblings.

What they're saying:

"At this time, the City of Elmhurst and the Elmhurst Police Department are not involved in this matter. We recommend directing all inquiries to the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Consulate in Barcelona, Spain. If our involvement changes, we will provide an update as appropriate," Elmhurst police said in a statement. 

"James Paul Gracey is a UA student on a personal trip. UA staff are in touch with the family and those associated with them to offer support and assistance in any way possible," the University of Alabama said in a statement.

Dig deeper:

Retired FBI Agent Ross Rice explained that this case is in the hands of Barcelona authorities. 

"The FBI does have agents assigned to U.S. embassies throughout the world. I think the current count is over 100, and they're there in an advisory capacity. They don't have law enforcement authority — they can't make arrests; they can't conduct investigations — but they work closely with local law enforcement," Rice said. 

He explained the benefit of filing a local police report if a loved one goes missing in another city, state, or country. 

"By doing that, you're entering information into a national database that's accessible by any law enforcement agency in the country, including Customs and Immigration. So, if he were to show up, if he were to come back, there would be a hit on that — that he's a missing person. And that could also get federal authorities, especially the FBI involved too," Rice said.

He reminded us that it is crucial to stay vigilant while traveling — particularly overseas.

"You really have to be on alert. And one of the things the State Department recommends for all U.S. travelers is to check in with the embassy in the country or area where you're staying. So there's an official record of the fact that you're there and people know that," Rice added.

Rice said this can be as simple as calling or emailing the U.S. Embassy while you're abroad. 

What you can do:

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact (224) 505-3886.