Jimmy Gracey’s memorial at the University of Alabama is filled with grieving classmates

Fraternities and the wider University of Alabama community this week honored the life of James “Jimmy” Gracey, who died during spring break last week in Barcelona, ​​Spain, with a full memorial mass and later a vigil by the school’s Theta Chi chapter.

On Tuesday night, hundreds of Gracey’s Greek brothers organized a memorial service outside the Theta Chi house in Tuscaloosa.

Friends of the 20-year-old were in tears as the community continued to cope with the loss of the “wild” young man.

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Mourners gathered under a tent on the lawn of the home while an overflowing crowd stood watching the action.

A vigil for Jimmy Gracey was held at Theta Chi fraternity at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Gracey died last week while on spring break in Barcelona, ​​​​​​​​​​​Spain. (Dana Mixer for Fox News Digital)

Speakers, including the international president of Theta Chi Fraternity, Toby Roth, offered heartfelt condolences to Gracey, while grieving students looked on. University of Alabama President Peter Mohler was also in attendance, according to a local report.

A speaker addresses mourners at a vigil for Jimmy Gracey at Theta Chi fraternity at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Gracey died last week while on spring break in Barcelona, ​​Spain. (Dana Mixer for Fox News Digital)

“Jimmy was always smiling – like, a smiling person,” said one speaker. “And Jimmy was very sympathetic. I mean, he was very sympathetic to his boys. For the Theta Chi boys, especially the housemates, whenever the music came on, you knew you were going to see Jimmy come out dancing in the hallway.”

Mourners attend a vigil for Jimmy Gracey held at Theta Chi fraternity at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Gracey died last week while on spring break in Barcelona,​​​​​​ (Dana Mixer for Fox News Digital)

“That alone is a testament to his integrity, he was one of the guys I would always say yes to when he asked to use my car. Whether it was to get a Cook Out shake, a Jimmy John’s sub, or just to get a haircut… My gas tank was always a little fuller than when I left it last. That was the kind of guy you never knew Jimmy was.

Mourners attend a vigil for Jimmy Gracey held at Theta Chi fraternity at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Gracey died last week while on spring break in Barcelona,​​​​​​ (Dana Mixer for Fox News Digital)

Toby Roth, International President, Theta Chi speaks to the media after Jimmy Gracey’s vigil held at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Gracey died last week during spring break in Barcelona, ​​Spain. (Dana Mixer for Fox News Digital)

A Catholic Mass was held Monday evening at St. Francis of Assisi University Parish in Tuscaloosa, which is the home of the school, and it was just standing.

“The church was packed, which was a blessing and a gift, to see the impact one person can have on many, Avery Jung, a junior at the University of Alabama, told the Crimson White school newspaper.

The priest lights incense in St. Francis of Assisi University Parish in Tuscaloosa, Alabama during Jimmy Gracey’s memorial mass on March 23, 2026. (Oswin Colley/The Crimson White)

“Jimmy was one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met,” said Reagan McCloskey, one of Gracey’s brothers. “There is much to be learned from Jim, but the aspect of his life that stands out to me the most is that he cared about others more than himself.

Members of Theta Chi at the University of Alabama, Jimmy Gracey’s sorority, speak in a discussion after a memorial service on March 23, 2026. (Oswin Colley/The Crimson White)

Police are not currently pursuing criminal charges in the case, pending an autopsy and toxicology report, as previously reported by Fox News Digital.

Gracey disappeared after a night out with friends in the early hours of March 17. She was on a night shift at the city’s popular Shoko nightclub before she went missing, prompting an intensive search and international media attention.

Authorities found his body in a dock near the club on Thursday.

Local police said the initial autopsy indicated that the college student’s death may have been accidental.

Jimmy Gracey’s brothers gathered outside St. Francis of Assisi University Parish in Tuscaloosa on March 23, 2026. (Oswin Colley/The Crimson White)

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“Everything points to an accidental death, although we are not disclosing the details of how things happened,” said a spokesperson for the newspaper. The Mossos d’EsquadraCatalan regional police, he said earlier.

Police say Gracey’s wallet containing her money, credit cards and other documents were found with her body, suggesting an accident rather than a targeted attack.

His cell phone was found when authorities arrested an unknown person for past crimes. Officials determined that this person was not involved in Gracey’s disappearance.

A local Spanish newspaper, citing police sources, said authorities had video of Gracey walking alone to the port of Port Olimpic before falling into the water. No such video has been released.

Gracey was loved by the brothers of Theta Chi, and served as fraternity chaplain and fraternity chairman.

University of Alabama student Jimmy Gracey, originally from Elmhurst, Illinois, pictured in an undated family photo. The 20-year-old was reported missing while visiting Barcelona, ​​Spain, on March 17. (Gracey’s family)

“These roles show who he was at his core: a young man with deep faith, genuine concern for others, and undying devotion to his brothers and his community,” the club said in a statement. “He was the type of man Theta Chi aspires to build—a Strong Man.”

Meanwhile, in a heartfelt tribute on a memorial page created by friends of the Gracey family, Gracey’s parents shared the story of her exemplary character, calling her “fierce.”

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“A shining example of his character was seen during a hockey game when Jimmy was about 10 years old. He loved hockey. He LOVED to compete. And he REALLY LOVED to win,” the tribute said. “At that time, he had a rocket of a gun. He was in a strong game. He was in possession of the puck. He hurt and let it fly. No one has ever stopped his shot … except this time. Instead of getting angry and hitting his stick on the ice, he swung to the opponent’s goal and gave him a fist bump. “atta boy” for stopping decent hockey and respecting Jimmy. leave another goalie for doing it … ten years old there the anger would have been accepted, and he went home to practice his shooting.