The baffling disappearance of Florida attorneys Randall “Randy” Spivey and his nephew Brandon Billmaier took a eerie turn with the discovery of their 42-foot Freeman catamaran, whimsically named “Unstopp-A-Bull,” adrift in the Gulf of Mexico. Found on December 20, 2025, approximately 70 miles offshore from Naples, the vessel was in a haunting state: engines still rumbling, transmission engaged in gear, and cruising unmanned at a steady pace. This ghostly scene, devoid of any distress signals or wreckage, has deepened the mystery surrounding the seasoned boaters’ fate, prompting intense speculation and ongoing private searches even after the U.S. Coast Guard suspended its official efforts on December 23.
Randy, 57, founder of the Spivey Law Firm in Fort Myers, was an avid angler with decades of Gulf experience, often navigating these waters with unerring confidence. Brandon, 33, a trial attorney at Boca Raton’s Shiner Law Group, shared his uncle’s passion, viewing these trips as cherished escapes from legal battles. The duo launched from Fort Myers Beach before dawn on December 19 for a day of bottom fishing, equipped with top-notch safety gear including life jackets, radios, and an emergency beacon. Yet, when they failed to return, Brandon’s wife Deborah alerted authorities at 7:30 p.m., igniting a massive search covering over 8,000 square miles.
The boat’s condition suggests a sudden calamity. A key witness, whose identity remains undisclosed pending verification, proposed a chilling scenario: Randy may have slipped overboard during the return journey, prompting Brandon to leap in for a rescue. As the unmanned craft continued forward, an unexpected rogue wave allegedly struck, hurling both men away and preventing them from reboarding. This theory gains traction from a suspicious detail—two life jackets missing from the vessel, implying they were donned in desperation. Investigators note the Gulf’s deceptive calm that day, with light winds and no reported storms, but rogue waves can arise unpredictably, especially in deeper waters.
NTSB and local authorities are examining the boat for clues, ruling out mechanical failures or foul play so far. The engines’ persistent operation and engaged gear indicate no intentional shutdown, supporting the accidental overboard hypothesis. Families remain hopeful: Deborah Billmaier, in emotional appeals, described Brandon’s final morning excitement, while Tricia Spivey praised Randy’s resilience. “Something’s wrong—this doesn’t add up,” a close friend echoed, highlighting Randy’s expertise.
As Christmas Day unfolds on December 25, 2025, vigils light Florida beaches, with private teams deploying drones and sonar. Funds for marine safety surge, honoring the men’s legacies in personal injury law and community service. This tragedy underscores the ocean’s perils, where even pros can vanish without trace. While answers elude, the “Unstopp-A-Bull’s” solitary voyage fuels theories: was it a freak wave, a medical emergency, or something more sinister? The Gulf holds its secrets, but the search for truth—and miracles—persists.
