As the holiday season brings a mix of joy and reflection to Southwest Florida, the families of two missing boaters—prominent Fort Myers attorney Randall Spivey Sr., 57, and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, 33—face ongoing uncertainty. With the U.S. Coast Guard suspending its exhaustive active search on December 22, 2025, after covering thousands of square miles in the Gulf of Mexico, the case has transitioned to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FBI now leads a missing persons probe, shifting focus toward a broader examination of potential circumstances surrounding the men’s vanishing, including whether another vessel may have approached or interacted with their boat on that fateful day.
The disappearance began on the morning of December 19, 2025, when Spivey and Billmaier set out from a private dock in the Iona area of Fort Myers aboard their 42-foot Freeman catamaran, “Unstopp-A-Bull.” The uncle-nephew duo, both accomplished lawyers with a deep shared passion for offshore fishing, planned a routine day of bottom fishing approximately 70 to 100 miles into the Gulf. Spivey, founder of a respected personal injury law firm, was renowned for his dedication to clients and community. Billmaier, practicing in Boca Raton, idolized his uncle and aspired to join the family firm one day. Experienced and safety-conscious, they equipped the vessel with advanced navigation tools, a SPOT tracker, and auto-inflating life jackets—preparations that initially fueled hope.
Family members expected the men home by sunset, but as evening turned to night without communication, concern escalated. Brandon’s wife, Deborah Billmaier, alerted authorities first. By midnight, a Coast Guard helicopter located the boat adrift about 70 miles west of Fort Myers Beach—engines still running, in gear, and remarkably intact. No visible damage marred the hull, fishing gear remained in place, and there were no immediate signs of distress or struggle. The discovery of two missing life jackets—blue and yellow models—offered a ray of optimism, suggesting the men may have donned them during an emergency.
What followed was one of the largest coordinated search efforts in recent regional history. The Coast Guard deployed helicopters, cutters, and aircraft from multiple stations, systematically scouring over 6,700 square miles—an area comparable to the size of Connecticut. Local agencies from Lee and Collier Counties contributed boats and personnel, while an extraordinary wave of civilian volunteers mobilized. Hundreds of private boaters formed search grids, private pilots took to the skies, and community members coordinated via social media and apps. The response reflected the men’s standing: Spivey as a compassionate legal advocate, Billmaier as a rising star with a warm personality.
Favorable conditions—calm seas, water temperatures in the mid-70s—bolstered early confidence in survival. Theories centered on a classic man-overboard accident: one slipping while handling gear or a large fish, the other leaping to assist, leaving the unmanned vessel to drift on autopilot. Deborah’s poignant discovery of Brandon’s wallet left at home reinforced the suddenness—he wouldn’t venture far offshore without it.
After four intense days, however, the Coast Guard made the difficult decision to suspend active operations at sunset on December 22. Officials described it as one of the hardest calls in search-and-rescue protocol, citing exhaustive coverage and the unlikelihood of surface survivors remaining undetected. Captain Corrie Sergent expressed gratitude to partners and volunteers, extending condolences to the families. The announcement came with reassurance that the case remains open pending new leads.
With the search-and-rescue phase concluded, the FBI has assumed leadership, classifying the incident as a missing persons investigation. This transition allows for a different investigative approach: deeper forensic analysis of the recovered boat, interviews with potential witnesses, and exploration of broader scenarios. While no foul play is currently suspected—and the primary hypothesis remains accidental—the pristine state of the vessel has prompted examiners to consider alternative possibilities, including whether another boat approached the “Unstopp-A-Bull” that day.
Investigators are reportedly reviewing radar data, satellite imagery, and vessel traffic records from the Gulf to identify any nearby crafts. The remote location, far from busy shipping lanes, makes encounters less common, but not impossible. Questions linger: Could a passing boater have rendered aid, leading to an unreported transfer? Or might an interaction—benign or otherwise—have contributed to the men’s absence? The FBI’s involvement ensures access to advanced tools for tracking maritime movements, including Automatic Identification System (AIS) logs from commercial vessels.
The holidays have added layers of sorrow. Deborah Billmaier, reflecting on their five-year marriage filled with travel and dreams, finds solace in knowing Brandon was with his beloved uncle, pursuing his greatest passion. Tricia Spivey echoes the gratitude for community support, calling volunteers “heroes.” Both families have urged respect for the suspension, noting the men would prioritize others’ safety.
Private efforts persist informally, with loved ones monitoring tips and weather for opportunities. The boat’s recovery allows detailed forensics—examining electronics, fuel systems, and any subtle anomalies—that could yield clues.
In a region where the Gulf’s beauty draws countless anglers, this case serves as a stark reminder of its risks. Yet the intact boat and missing jackets keep hope alive for some form of resolution. As the FBI pursues new angles, including potential vessel interactions, the community waits—praying for answers in a mystery that has touched many hearts this Christmas.
The disappearance of Randall Spivey and Brandon Billmaier transcends a simple boating accident; it highlights bonds of family, profession, and adventure cut short. Whatever the outcome, their legacies—as advocates for justice and lovers of the sea—endure.
