CRITICAL BREAKTHROUGH IN JAMES GRACEY SEARCH: WALLET DISCOVERED IN SEA NEAR ORIGINAL DISAPPEARANCE SITE 🌊

A critical development has emerged in the search for missing University of Alabama student James “Jimmy” Gracey after Spanish authorities confirmed that his wallet was found floating in the sea near the spot where he was last seen in Barcelona.

Police discovered the wallet Wednesday off Somorrostro Beach — just a few hundred feet from Shoko nightclub, the venue where the 20-year-old was last spotted around 3 a.m. Tuesday morning. The discovery was made by a Catalan police aquatic unit that had been combing the water to determine whether Gracey may have entered the sea after leaving the club.

According to a source familiar with the investigation, the immediate water search did not produce additional findings.

Gracey, a junior at the University of Alabama and a member of the Theta Chi fraternity, had been in Barcelona as part of a spring break trip with friends. After leaving the nightclub, he failed to return to his Airbnb, located less than two miles away — raising immediate concern among the group traveling with him.

“We’re doing everything we can to stay hopeful,” fraternity brother Cavin McLay told local media. “But it’s a tough time. And we’re scared.” McLay described Gracey as the fraternity’s chaplain — someone who guided others in their faith — adding that the brothers are “heartbroken” but continuing to pray for his safe return.

Investigators have reviewed surveillance footage from Shoko nightclub, which reportedly shows that Gracey did not leave alone. However, authorities have not yet confirmed the identity of the individual seen with him. Spanish media reports indicate he had been speaking with a brown-haired American woman prior to disappearing, though officials have not publicly identified her.

Gracey’s phone has also been recovered as part of the ongoing investigation. A family spokesperson said the device was located during police activity involving another individual, though relatives say they remain uncertain whether the phone was lost or stolen.

“We don’t know whether it was lost, stolen, whatever,” his aunt Beth O’Reilly said. “Beyond that, we don’t have a lot of additional information right now.”

Gracey, originally from the Chicago suburb of Elmhurst, had arrived in Barcelona after traveling through Amsterdam. He was scheduled to return to the United States on Saturday.

His father has since flown to Spain, and the U.S. State Department confirmed it is providing consular assistance.

For now, the search continues — with family, friends, and classmates anxiously awaiting answers.

SOURCE: nypost.com