Two experienced Florida fishermen, Randall Spivey and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, disappeared under mysterious circumstances during a routine deep-sea fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico, leaving behind an empty boat that raised more questions than answers. The 57-year-old Spivey, a respected Fort Myers attorney known for advocating on behalf of injured individuals for over three decades, and 33-year-old Billmaier, also an attorney at Shiner Law Group in Boca Raton, set out from a residence in the 15000 block of Intracoastal Court in Fort Myers early on the morning of December 19, 2025. They were aboard a 42-foot Freeman vessel named “Unstopp-A-Bull,” a capable offshore fishing boat equipped for long-range trips.
The men were expected to return by sunset that evening, but when they failed to check in, their wives alerted authorities around 9 p.m. The U.S. Coast Guard immediately launched a massive search-and-rescue operation, coordinating with multiple agencies including the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Collier County authorities, the Florida Guard, military assets, and numerous volunteers. Crews deployed helicopters, cutters, boats, and advanced technology to scour the waters off southwest Florida.
By approximately midnight on December 20—less than 24 hours after the initial report—a Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater helicopter located the boat drifting about 70 miles west of Naples, roughly 70-100 miles offshore depending on the exact position. The vessel was found floating upright, still in gear with the engine running, a detail that puzzled investigators and suggested the men may have left abruptly or been forced off the boat. A rescue swimmer boarded the craft, shut down the engines, and anchored it for safety before it was towed back to Fort Myers Beach for forensic examination.
A disturbing discovery soon emerged: two life jackets were missing from the boat. This absence stood out starkly, as both men were described by family and colleagues as safety-conscious individuals who prioritized precautions on the water. No signs of struggle, damage, or foul play were immediately apparent on the vessel, but the missing personal flotation devices fueled speculation about what might have transpired. One theory, relayed by Billmaier’s wife to media outlets and attributed to Coast Guard officials, posited that one man may have fallen overboard, prompting the other to jump in to assist—only for the boat to continue drifting away with the motor engaged, leaving them stranded without immediate access to the jackets.
The search intensified over the following days, covering an enormous 6,700 square miles—an area comparable in size to the state of Connecticut. Conditions during the operation included moderate 10 mph winds and 3-foot seas, not extreme but challenging for locating individuals in open water. Despite exhaustive efforts involving air and sea assets, no trace of the men was found on the surface.
On December 22, 2025, the Coast Guard made the difficult decision to suspend active search-and-rescue operations at sundown, informing the family in a private briefing. Lt. Amy Harrison, a search and rescue mission coordinator for Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, explained that crews had saturated the most logical areas with significant resources. Capt. Corrie Sergent, the sector’s commanding officer, described it as “no harder decision than suspending a search,” expressing gratitude for the professionalism and compassion of all involved. The family issued a heartfelt statement accepting the suspension, noting the high confidence that the men would have been located if on the surface, and urging respect for the decision due to increasing risks in waters now over 100 miles offshore and drifting farther west.
The case transitioned to a missing persons investigation, with the U.S. Coast Guard’s Investigative Services assuming lead, supported by the FBI and local sheriff’s offices. The FBI’s involvement was described as standard assistance when tools or techniques could benefit the probe, though no federal crime was initially indicated. By early January 2026, the investigation remained active, with no new public developments or recovery of the men reported as of mid-January.
Spivey and Billmaier were avid deep-sea fishermen who regularly ventured far offshore. Both shared professional backgrounds in personal injury law—Spivey with decades of experience helping the injured, and Billmaier praised by his firm as an “exceptional attorney” whose kindness, integrity, and character left a lasting impact. Colleagues and family remembered them as dedicated professionals and family men whose disappearance left a profound void.
The incident highlights persistent dangers of offshore boating in the Gulf, where vast distances, unpredictable currents, and sudden weather shifts can turn routine outings tragic. Experts emphasize the critical importance of wearing life jackets at all times, carrying personal locator beacons (PLBs), and maintaining communication protocols. The missing jackets on an otherwise intact boat have amplified calls for heightened safety awareness among recreational boaters.
As weeks turned into a month since the disappearance, family, friends, and the community continue to grieve and seek closure. Tributes on social media and statements from law firms honor their legacies, while the unanswered questions—how two capable men vanished from a running boat, why the life jackets were absent—linger in the public consciousness. The Gulf’s depths remain silent, holding whatever secrets the fateful trip concealed, as loved ones hold onto hope amid heartbreak.
