Coast Guard ends search for missing boaters; Boca Raton attorney among those lost

The U.S. Coast Guard has announced the suspension of its search for two boaters, Randall Spivey and Brandon Billmaier, who have been missing since Friday. Brandon Billmaier is an attorney at the Boca Raton law firm Shiner Law Group. (USCG | Deborah Billmaier)FORT MYERS, Fla. (CBS12) — The U.S. Coast Guard has announced the suspension of its search for an uncle and a nephew, 57-year-old Randall Spivey and 33-year-old Brandon Billmaier, who have been missing since their fishing trip off the Fort Myers coast on Friday.

Capt. Corrie Sergent, commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, expressed the difficulty of the decision to suspend active search efforts, stating, “There is no harder decision than suspending a search. I am incredibly grateful for the crews, partners, and volunteers who participated in this massive search with dedication and compassion. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of Mr. Spivey and Mr. Billmaier during this extremely challenging time.”

The Coast Guard said that the men were reported overdue on Friday night around 9 p.m., after they went on a fishing trip about 100 miles offshore and were expected to return by sunset.

Coast Guard watchstanders coordinated a response, launching rescue crews to their last known position.

A helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater located their vessel adrift around midnight on Saturday, approximately 70 miles west of Fort Myers. It was reported that a rescue swimmer boarded the boat, secured it, and it was later brought back to Station Fort Myers Beach for further investigation.

The Coast Guard said that, along with partner agencies, it has thoroughly searched a vast area of approximately 6,700 square miles, roughly the size of Connecticut. Conditions during the search included winds of about 10 mph and 3-foot seas.

The decision to halt the search took effect at sunset on Monday, pending any new information.

“Our crews worked tirelessly with pilots, boats, and cutters, alongside many partners,” stated Lt. Amy Harrison, a search and rescue mission coordinator for Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg. “We covered an extensive search area but, unfortunately, we were unable to locate the two missing men.”

Billmaier is an attorney at Shiner Law Group in Boca Raton. His disappearance has sent shockwaves throughout the Palm Beach County community. David Shiner, who works with Billmaier, released a statement saying, “On behalf of everyone at Shiner Law Group, we are deeply saddened by the disappearance of Brandon and his uncle, Randy. Brandon is a valued member of our firm and someone we care about tremendously, both as a colleague and as our friend. Brandon is an exceptional person and a great lawyer, and we are heartbroken.”

Various rescue agencies joined efforts to find the boaters, including the Coast Guard Air Stations in Clearwater, Miami, and Elizabeth City, as well as the Coast Guard Cutter Crocodile, the Florida State Guard, and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, among others. Additional support came from volunteers who participated using private boats and aircraft.

Anyone with information regarding the missing boaters is urged to contact the Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg command center at 866-881-1392.

Debunking Rumors in the Disappearance of Randall Spivey and Brandon Billmaier: No Evidence of Radar Malfunctions or Mysterious Signals

The tragic disappearance of Florida attorneys Randall “Randy” Spivey, 57, and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, 33, during a fishing trip on December 19, 2025, has understandably captured public attention and sparked widespread concern. Their 42-foot Freeman catamaran, named “Unstopp-A-Bull” (sometimes referred to as “Unstoppable”), was found adrift and empty approximately 70 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico on December 20, with engines running and no signs of damage. Despite an extensive search by the U.S. Coast Guard, volunteers, and partner agencies, no trace of the men has been found as of December 26, 2025. The active search was suspended on December 22, and the case is now under FBI investigation as a federal missing persons matter.

However, circulating online rumors—suggesting radar malfunctions, “strange pulsations” in signals indicating movement on deck, or any captured footage of “flickering figures”—appear to be entirely unsubstantiated. Extensive searches across news outlets, official statements, and social media yield no credible reports supporting these claims.

Verified Facts of the Case

Departure and Discovery: The uncle-nephew pair left Spivey’s waterfront home in Fort Myers early on December 19 for a planned day of deep-sea fishing. They were expected back by evening but never returned or communicated further. Family reported them missing around 9 p.m., prompting an immediate response from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Coast Guard.
Boat Condition: A Coast Guard helicopter located the vessel early on December 20, upright, operational, and in gear—but unoccupied. Two life jackets and a life ring were missing, offering initial hope that the men may have entered the water with flotation devices. No distress signals were received, and there were no reports of damage, foul play, or unusual equipment issues.
Search Efforts: One of the largest offshore searches in recent Southwest Florida history covered thousands of square miles using aircraft, boats, and drift modeling. Volunteers from multiple states assisted. The Coast Guard suspended operations at sunset on December 22, citing exhaustive coverage and the unlikelihood of surface survival beyond that point.
Technical Details: The boat was equipped with standard navigation and safety gear typical for experienced offshore vessels. Reports confirm it was located via helicopter sighting and possibly GPS tracking (common on such boats), not anomalous radar data. No official sources mention radar anomalies, “pulsations” in AIS (Automatic Identification System) signals, or any indication of ongoing movement suggesting someone remained on board after the men vanished.

Addressing the Specific Rumors

Claims of “radar malfunction or something else,” “strange pulsations as if someone is moving around on deck,” or “unshakeable secrets” in the final moments lack any foundation in reported facts:

No news articles, Coast Guard statements, family updates, or law enforcement releases reference radar issues, signal anomalies, or onboard cameras capturing events.
The boat was found empty with no evidence of recent activity beyond its drifting state.
Suggestions of night vision or security cameras recording “flickering figures” near the railing seem to stem from misinformation, possibly conflated with unrelated cases or sensationalized social media posts. Credible coverage focuses solely on the sudden, unexplained absence of two highly experienced boaters from a stable vessel.

Experienced mariners and investigators point to more plausible scenarios, such as a sudden overboard incident (e.g., one man falling while fishing or handling gear, the other attempting rescue), potentially exacerbated by currents. Both men were described by family and friends as cautious and knowledgeable on the water, making deliberate risks unlikely.

Family and Community Response

The families have expressed profound grief while thanking searchers and emphasizing respect for the suspension decision. Deborah Billmaier, Brandon’s wife, shared: “While this is heartbreaking, Brandon and Randy would never want anyone else to put their life in danger.” Statements from the Spivey Law Firm and Shiner Law Group highlight the men’s dedication to family and profession.

The case remains open with the FBI. Private efforts may continue, but no new leads have emerged publicly.

Why Rumors Spread and Why Facts Matter

Mysterious disappearances at sea often invite speculation due to the ocean’s vastness and unpredictability. However, relying on verified sources prevents the spread of distressing misinformation for grieving families. All available evidence points to a tragic accident, not hidden secrets or technical conspiracies.

If you have credible information, contact authorities: Lee County Sheriff’s Office (239-477-1000), Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers (1-800-780-TIPS), or the FBI.

This summary is based exclusively on reports from reputable outlets including Fox News, USA Today, The News-Press, Palm Beach Post, People Magazine, and official statements as of December 26, 2025. The story is developing, but sensational claims remain unsupported.