JUST IN: Devastation at Jimmy Gracey’s home — he was supposed to be back with his family today… but the horrifying events of that night changed everything in an instant.

HEARTBREAKING TRIBUTE FROM JIMMY GRACEY’S SISTER

She posted this on her Instagram. It is so sad. Jimmy truly seemed like such an amazing person who was loved by all who knew him. 

“To my dear older brother, I can’t even begin to believe what is happening and it truly does not feel anywhere close to real. I really never thought I would have to go through this so early on in life and I’m not sure if I will ever fully process what has happened. Jimmy, you were really the embodiment of a true man of God and a gentleman. You were, and still are my biggest role model and someone I will look up to for the rest of my life. Your real and raw love for hockey, the Lord, your family, and just making the world a better place inspires me every day to live more like you. I really truly believe that you had such an amazing impact on this world and everyone that you talked to o came into contact with. While we may have argued o fought from time to time growing up, I always knew that I could count on you to be there for me and to stick up for me. I will never forget our many times playing tackle time, hockey, shiny, playing ghost in the graveyard all night in the summers, bonfires, jumping on the trampoline, skating in the backyard, and especially ooga booga at the lake. Those are some of the best memories of my life and I thank you for giving me those. Thank you for being the best role model ever for the little boys and me. I know that I will NEVER EVER be able to live up to fill your amazing shoes, but I promise you that I will try m best to bne a good role model for our younger brothers and to attempt to step into those shoes as best I can without replacing you. While you may be physically gone from our lives, you are with us in our hearts and I promise you that you will never ever ever be forgotten and I will personally make sure that your legacy lives on forever as long as I do. I know that you are in a better place with God now and that you are looking over us all. Thank you for the best 18 years of my life. Growing up with you as my older brother has truly been the biggest blessing of my life and you really are the biggest inspiration to the boys and me, maybe even more than you will ever know. I love you endlessly and you ae my best friend forever and ever, I promise to look over the little boys until we get to meet you again

Theta Chi Fraternity has shared its condolences for the loss of its member and friend, 20-year-old James “Jimmy” Gracey, whose body was found in Barcelona on March 19.

“There are no words to describe the pain of losing our beloved brother Jimmy,” Alpha Phi Chapter (University of Alabama) President Cavin McLay said in a statement on March 19. “Jimmy always went out of his way for anyone who needed him, whether that was guidance in their faith, a shoulder to lean on or simply someone to share a smile and laugh with. I can say without hesitation that I am a better person for having known him.”

After missing for several days, Gracey’s body was located around 6 p.m. local time in the water at Somorrostro beach, just in front of the club where he was last seen days before, the Catalan police force (Mossos d’Esquadra) confirmed to USA TODAY in an email on March 19. Spanish officials identified the body as Gracey’s just before 8:45 p.m., police said.

Part of University of Alabama’s Alpha Phi chapter, Gracey served as a chaplain and philanthropy chairman, Theta Chi Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Mayer said in a statement on March 19.

“Driven by true devotion and fraternal love, his Theta Chi brothers in Barcelona searched tirelessly for Jimmy for several days,” Mayer said. “We are deeply proud of them, and we recognize what they have experienced, along with so many across our brotherhood, has been profoundly traumatic. We respectfully implore local, national, and international media to give these young men the space they need to process and grieve this unthinkable loss.”

Mayer added that in the coming days, the fraternity will announce ways to honor Gracey’s life.

Family thanks public for kindness, concern
Gracey’s family called him a “kind, responsible and devoted son and brother,” in earlier statements and thanked the public for “the kindness and concern that has been shown for our family” in a statement released after the student’s body was identified.

“We have made the decision to pause media interviews at this time to focus on being together and caring for one another,” the family’s statement added. “Thank you for respecting our privacy and holding our family in your thoughts and prayers. We will share updates if and when we’re able.”

What we know about Jimmy Gracey’s disappearance
Gracey went out on Monday, March 16, to Shôko, a club in Barcelona, his mother, Therese Marren Gracey, wrote in the public Facebook group Barcelona Expat Families. He was last seen alive in the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 17.

Therese said her son was visiting friends who were studying abroad and was staying at an Airbnb near the bustling area of Ronda de Sant Pere. The club he went to was about two miles southeast of where he was staying.

A friend Gracey was with at the nightclub last saw him at about 3 a.m., Therese shared. His friend eventually went home, but Gracey decided to stay at the club, Barcelona newspaper El Periódico reported.

Investigators looked at the nightclub’s security camera footage and found that Gracey left the club with someone, though they aren’t sure who the person was, El Periódico reported. A witness also told Catalan police he saw Gracey walking toward the beach. According to Therese, Gracey never made it back to his Airbnb.

Authorities found Gracey’s wallet in the ocean, according to television station WBMA and El Periódico. Catalonian police did not confirm these reports when contacted by USA TODAY.