Fort Myers missing boater’s son hopeful he will still find his dad and cousin

After a 4-day search for 2 missing boaters, Randall Spivey, 57, and Brandon Billmaier, 33, offshore of Fort Myers, the U.S. Coast Guard made a tough decision to suspend the search Monday evening.

ABC7 spoke with the son of Randall Spivey, also named Randall Spivey, before the search was suspended on Monday. He said he never imagined something like this could happen to his dad or his cousin, adding that his dad goes fishing about every two weeks and has been for decades.

Spivey described what went through his head when he received that call from the coast guard that they found his dad’s boat, but his dad and cousin weren’t onboard.

“It was, as you can imagine, tragic. It was the worst few hours of my life and the worst phone call of my life. I know my mom would agree if you could have heard how she reacted to that. I wouldn’t wish that feeling on anybody. It’s pretty indescribable. My thoughts after hearing that they found the boat and something went, that, you know, something had to have gone very seriously wrong for that, for them to both end up in the water like that,” said Spivey.

Spivey said he does believe that they were wearing life vests and had a white life ring with them because it was missing from the boat when the Coast Guard located their vessel.

There are still unanswered questions on how Spivey and Billmaier ended up in the water. Spivey’s son said something must have gone terribly wrong for his dad and cousin to fall into the water.

“You know, nobody knows. You know, my dad is the safest, most experienced boater that you could imagine. You know, whatever happened was a one-in-a-million occurrence. I’ve been out there hundreds of times with him in my life. And I can’t even think of a scenario that makes sense. I mean, my dad and Brandon both know how to properly handle emergency situations in a safe way. It’s never the type of thing where, you know, somebody’s diving in the water after somebody else. You know, that just doesn’t happen,” said Spivey.

But what Spivey does know is that he won’t stop searching until he finds his dad and cousin.

“We’re going to continue to search as long as it takes until we get them home,” said Spivey.

Echoes from the Deep: The Heart-Wrenching Disappearance of Randall Spivey and Brandon Billmaier

This Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, marks a poignant and painful milestone for two Florida families. Six days after setting out on a routine deep-sea fishing trip, Randall “Randy” Spivey, 57, a respected Fort Myers personal injury attorney, and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, 33, a trial lawyer from Boca Raton, remain missing in the vast Gulf of Mexico. Their story—a blend of family bonding, professional success, and sudden tragedy—has gripped Southwest Florida and beyond, leaving loved ones clinging to fading hope amid an unforgiving sea.

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Randall Spivey (left) and Brandon Billmaier (right), uncle and nephew whose close relationship extended from family ties to shared passions on the water.

The pair launched early on Friday, December 19, from Spivey’s waterfront home in the quiet Iona neighborhood near Fort Myers. Aboard the 42-foot Freeman catamaran Unstopp-A-Bull—a vessel renowned for its offshore prowess and equipped with advanced safety features, including an EPIRB—they headed 70-100 miles out for bottom fishing, targeting grouper and snapper. Spivey, with over 30 years of boating experience, was known for his cautious approach; Billmaier, who saw his uncle as a mentor and “second father,” shared that enthusiasm, having recently married and built a career following in Spivey’s legal footsteps.

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The 42-foot Freeman catamaran, like the Unstopp-A-Bull, designed for stability and long-range trips in challenging waters.

Morning communications were lighthearted—texts of love and anticipation exchanged with wives Tricia Spivey and Deborah Billmaier. But as the day wore on, silence descended. No return by evening prompted Tricia to report them missing around 9 p.m. No distress signals activated.

Early Saturday, December 20, a Coast Guard helicopter spotted the Unstopp-A-Bull adrift about 70 miles west of Fort Myers. Engines running, still in gear, upright and undamaged—a scene indicating a swift, catastrophic event. A rescue swimmer confirmed the chilling reality: empty boat, no occupants. Two life jackets and a life ring missing offered tentative hope; the EPIRB, crucially, remained onboard and unused. Weather was cooperative—mild winds, modest seas.

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U.S. Coast Guard helicopters in action, similar to those deployed in the massive search for Spivey and Billmaier.

The find ignited an extraordinary response: Coast Guard assets from multiple stations, local law enforcement, and an unprecedented volunteer surge—private pilots, civilian boats, even out-of-state support—scanning over 6,700 square miles. Family friend Paul Rocuant coordinated efforts, while Deborah and Tricia shared updates and pleas online and in media interviews.

“We’ve gotta find them. Please, please find them,” Tricia implored. Deborah, posting regularly, noted the men were bottom fishing when the incident likely struck, and spoke of holding out for a “Christmas miracle” as the holiday neared.

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Deep-sea bottom fishing scenes in the Gulf of Mexico, the exact activity the pair was engaged in before vanishing.

After three intense days with no sightings, the Coast Guard suspended active searching at sunset Monday, December 22—a decision Capt. Corrie Sergent deemed the “hardest.” The family endorsed it, stating Randy and Brandon “would never want anyone else to put their life in danger.”

Now, the FBI leads a missing persons investigation, examining the towed boat for data logs and clues. No foul play suspected; theories point to a sudden mishap—perhaps a heavy fish pulling one overboard, the other attempting rescue, or an unforeseen medical or wave event preventing alerts.

The missing flotation devices sustain cautious optimism, though time erodes survival chances in open water. Boating experts renew emphasis on personal locator beacons for such rapid incidents.

Spivey’s firm remembers him as a tireless advocate for injury victims; Billmaier’s Shiner Law Group calls him an “exceptional person and great lawyer.” Deborah finds bittersweet comfort: her husband spent his final moments doing what he loved, with family.

On this Christmas, grief overshadows celebration. Private efforts and currents may yet yield answers, but the Gulf holds its silence. The FBI urges tips from anyone offshore that day.

For video coverage, including heartfelt family interviews, search operations, and wife Deborah’s emotional updates, view reports from WINK News, FOX 4, Gulf Coast News, and national sources like Fox News and People.