UNIVERSITY of Alabama student James Gracey was alone when he fell to his death and drowned in Barcelona, CCTV footage shows.
The 20-year-old American student was on a spring break getaway, visiting friends in the Spanish tourist hotspot.
Yet he never made it home after separating from his pals while partying at beachfront nightclub Shôko.
Gracey’s body was discovered by police divers on Thursday, in around 12ft of water in front of Port Olympic.
Foul play was suspected at first – it was thought the student had left Shôko with a stranger around 3am.
But police confirmed that his death was accidental yesterday.
Chilling CCTV footage showed him leave the club and walk along Somorrostro Beach towards the rocks where he fell into the water, Catalan cops told the Daily Mail.
Investigators recovered the disturbing video from security cameras near the nightclub.
The footage puts to bed any theories that someone with the 20-year-old could have seen what happened before he fell into the sea, police added.
It also led the investigation to conclude that he was not pushed into the sea, instead falling into the waves by accident.
A Spanish judicial source told the Daily Mail that Gracey’s preliminary autopsy report reported an initial finding of accidental death.
The investigation has also been helped by a witness who saw the American tourist walking towards the sea.
A police source said: “A witness who happened to be passing saw him leave the nightclub, saw him heading towards this rocky outcrop.
“From there he may have fallen into the sea and drowned.”
A source told Fox News Digital that investigators have not ruled out that Gracey could have been drugged, however.
The source claimed that several “loose ends” need to be tied up before the case is closed.
These “loose ends” reportedly include the student’s autopsy and toxicology results.
The source claimed that police think Gracey may have been under the influence of drugs, alcohol or both when he drowned.
The University of Alabama student’s family told The U.S. Sun they were heartbroken by Gracey’s tragic death and “struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable loss”.
“We are profoundly grateful for the outpouring of love, support, and prayers from people around the world – so many helped to share Jimmy’s story and bring his life to light so that others may know him,” they said.
Gracey was travelling with some of his fraternity brothers, who said they were separated from him at the club.
He was reported missing Tuesday morning after failing to show up at his Airbnb, his family said.
In a statement, the University of Alabama mourned his death, saying: “The University of Alabama community is heartbroken to learn of the death of Jimmy Gracey.
“Jimmy’s loss is deeply felt across our campus. Our condolences are with the Gracey family during this devastating time.
