Two prominent Florida attorneys, Randall “Randy” Spivey, 57, and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, 33, vanished under mysterious circumstances during a routine deep-sea fishing trip off Fort Myers on December 19, 2025. What began as an ordinary outing on Spivey’s 42-foot Freeman boat, “Unstopp-A-Bull,” has turned into one of the most baffling disappearances in recent Gulf Coast history, with fresh whispers from inside their professional circles adding layers of intrigue.
Spivey, a well-known personal injury lawyer running his own Fort Myers firm, and Billmaier, a trial attorney at the Boca Raton-based Shiner Law Group, were experienced boaters and avid fishermen. They departed early that Friday morning for waters about 100 miles offshore, planning to return by sunset. When they failed to check in, their worried wives alerted authorities. The U.S. Coast Guard launched a massive search, covering thousands of square miles—roughly the size of Connecticut—using helicopters, boats, and partner agencies.
The next day, a Coast Guard chopper spotted the vessel drifting 70 miles southwest of Naples, engine still running, in gear, and upright. Alarmingly, two life jackets were missing from the boat, but no trace of the men or any signs of struggle were found. The search was suspended after four intense days on December 22, though the U.S. Coast Guard has since taken over the ongoing investigation, with the FBI stepping in to probe “unusual circumstances” surrounding the case.
Now, colleagues who worked alongside both lawyers are coming forward with startling details about their real relationship and the events of the night before they set sail. Insiders describe a close, almost brotherly bond between uncle and nephew, forged through family ties and shared professional ambitions in the competitive world of injury law. They often fished together, sometimes with Spivey’s son, turning these trips into cherished escapes from courtroom battles.
But the evening prior—Thursday night—reportedly involved a lively alcohol-fueled gathering. Sources close to the firm reveal it was more than a casual dinner: a private party with drinks flowing freely as the two men unwound before their adventure. Revelers toasted to family, success, and the thrill of the open water. Some accounts suggest the night grew rowdier than usual, with laughter echoing late into the hours, perhaps loosening inhibitions in ways that could have carried over to the next day’s outing.
This pre-trip revelry has sparked speculation: Could fatigue, impaired judgment, or an unexpected mishap at sea have played a role in the tragedy? One theory floating among those familiar with boating is that one man may have fallen overboard, prompting the other to dive in heroically—only for the unmanned boat to motor away, leaving them stranded in vast waters.
Families remain heartbroken, with Billmaier’s wife pleading publicly for answers and Spivey’s relatives expressing profound grief. As investigations continue, these emerging details about their deep connection and that fateful boozy night are fueling public fascination, turning what seemed like a simple accident into a story laced with mystery, loyalty, and unanswered questions. The Gulf still holds its secrets—for now.
