The vast Gulf of Mexico has claimed yet another mystery, leaving a tight-knit Florida community shattered and families clinging to fading hope during what should have been a joyful holiday season. On December 19, 2025, two respected attorneys—uncle Randall “Randy” Spivey, 57, and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, 33—embarked on a routine deep-sea fishing excursion from Fort Myers aboard the sleek 42-foot Freeman catamaran named Unstopp-A-Bull. What began as an ordinary day of bonding over their shared passion for the sea turned into a nightmare when their vessel was discovered adrift and empty 70 miles offshore. After an exhaustive search covering thousands of square miles, the U.S. Coast Guard suspended operations on December 22, handing the case to the FBI amid growing questions about the bizarre circumstances. Randy’s wife, Tricia, collapsed in anguish upon hearing the news, while Brandon’s newlywed bride, Deborah, has publicly pleaded for answers, describing the ordeal as a “horror movie.” As Christmas passes without them, the question lingers: What truly happened on that ill-fated trip?

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Randy Spivey and Brandon Billmaier were not just family; they were inseparable mentors and adventurers. Randy, a prominent Fort Myers personal injury lawyer and founder of Spivey Law Firm, had built a 30-year career helping the injured, earning admiration as a devoted husband, father, and community leader. His wife Tricia, also an attorney at the firm, often joined him in both professional and personal pursuits. Brandon, inspired by his uncle from a young age, followed in his footsteps, becoming a trial attorney at the Shiner Law Group in Boca Raton after recently relocating to Florida. Newly married to Deborah, Brandon dreamed of one day joining Randy’s practice. The two shared countless fishing trips, vacations, and family milestones, with friends describing them as “each other’s heroes” and “like father and son.”

On that fateful Friday morning, the pair departed from a private dock in Iona, Fort Myers, planning to bottom-fish approximately 100 miles offshore. Experienced boaters familiar with the Gulf’s waters, they were expected back by sunset. Randy, known for his safety-conscious nature, and Brandon, an avid fisherman who “lived for the sea,” seemed prepared for a perfect day.

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But as dusk fell without contact, alarm set in. By 7:30 p.m., Tricia and Deborah, unable to reach their husbands, grew frantic. At 9 p.m., the Coast Guard was alerted, launching an immediate response. What unfolded next chilled everyone involved.

Just after midnight on December 20, a Coast Guard helicopter from Air Station Clearwater spotted Unstopp-A-Bull—a green Freeman 42 catamaran still in gear and upright—drifting eerily about 70 miles west of Fort Myers, near Naples. A rescue swimmer boarded, secured the engines, and anchored the vessel. The discovery was haunting: no sign of Randy or Brandon. No evidence of struggle, no distress calls. Crucially, the boat’s Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) remained onboard, meaning no automatic distress signal had been sent. Yet, two life jackets were missing, sparking initial hope that the men had donned them and were afloat.

Tricia Spivey collapsed in tears upon learning of the empty boat. “We’ve gotta find them. Please, please find them,” she pleaded in interviews. Deborah Billmaier echoed the despair on social media: “This is like a nightmare, a horror movie.” The families rallied, coordinating with authorities while holding onto the life jacket clue as a lifeline.

What followed was one of the most massive search efforts in Southwest Florida history. The Coast Guard deployed helicopters, cutters, and aircraft from multiple stations, including Clearwater, Miami, and beyond. Partner agencies like the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Florida State Guard joined, alongside an overwhelming volunteer response. Over two dozen boats and private aircraft scoured the Gulf, with civilians from across the Southeast braving rough conditions to help.

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The operation covered an astonishing 6,700 square miles—equivalent to the size of Connecticut—stretching up to 100 miles offshore. Volunteers shared GPS coordinates from the boat’s tracker, assigning search grids from Fort Myers to Marco Island. “Every hour matters,” Deborah posted urgently, thanking “local heroes” for risking their lives. Friends like John Rocuant described Randy as a “brother” figure, while clients praised his kindness. The community mobilized vigils, prayers, and social media campaigns, turning the tragedy into a unifying cause.

For three intense days, hope flickered. Stories of miraculous ocean survivals fueled optimism. Randy’s son urged continued efforts, noting the missing flotation devices suggested they were waiting to be found.

But on December 22, at sunset, the Coast Guard made the agonizing call to suspend active searching. After exhaustive coverage with no sightings, officials concluded that if the men were on the surface, they would have been located. “This is a difficult decision,” the agency stated, expressing condolences while praising the “utmost professionalism” of crews and volunteers.

The families, though devastated, respected the choice. “While this is heartbreaking, Brandon and Randy would never want anyone else to put their life in danger,” Deborah wrote. In a joint statement, they thanked the community: “We are overwhelmed with gratitude.” Preparing for a Christmas without their loved ones, Deborah shared in an exclusive interview: “He loved fishing… he lived for it, for his family, for me.” She described Randy as “the most special person, filled with integrity and love.”

As the Coast Guard stepped back, the FBI stepped forward, assuming lead on a federal missing persons investigation. Announced December 23, the probe has intensified speculation. The boat found running but abandoned, no EPIRB activation, sudden disappearance—could it be a freak accident, like a rogue wave or medical emergency? Or something more ominous? The FBI has examined the vessel and interviewed associates, stating they will assist if evidence suggests federal violations.

No foul play has been confirmed, but the puzzling details—experienced boaters vanishing without trace—have sparked online theories, from mechanical failure to unforeseen perils of the deep. Shiner Law Group mourned Brandon as an “exceptional person and great lawyer,” while Spivey Law Firm hailed Randy’s dedication.

Southwest Florida mourns deeply. Vigils in Fort Myers and Boca Raton feature candles and prayers for closure.

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The Gulf, vast and unforgiving, holds its secrets. As the FBI digs deeper, families await answers. What really happened aboard Unstopp-A-Bull? A tragic mishap, or a darker tale? For now, Randy Spivey and Brandon Billmaier remain missing, their legacies of love, justice, and adventure enduring amid profound loss.

Anyone with information should contact the FBI or Coast Guard at 866-881-1392.