Who Are Randall Spivey And Brandon Billmaier? Two Fishermen Missing Off Florida Coast

Two fishermen, 57-year-old Randall Spivey and 33-year-old Brandon Billmaier, went missing off the coast of Fort Myers, Florida, after their boat was found empty on Friday night. The US Coast Guard launched a search. Authorities continue to search 70 miles off shore.

The US Coast Guard is leading the search for Randall Spivey and Brandon Billmaier.

The search is underway for two missing fishermen, identified as 57-year-old Randall Spivey and 33-year-old Brandon Billmaier. Their boat was found without them off the coast of Fort Myers, Florida, on Friday. Spivey and Billmaier had gone out fishing early that morning and were expected to return in the afternoon.

By 7.30 pm, neither of the men had come back, and their families had not heard from them. Billmaier’s wife shared the worry on social media, saying the men left together and were overdue.

What US Coast Guard Tweeted

The US Coast Guard deployed a helicopter around 11 pm on Friday. At 1.30 am on Saturday, the family was told that the vessel was found about 70 miles offshore, but the men were not on board, according to Fox News report.

Tricia Spivey, Randall’s wife, spoke to WBBH-TV about the situation, saying, “We’ve gotta find them. Please. Please, please find them. They’re amazing people. I just need him back. He needs to come back to us.” Families hope that more people can join the rescue effort and have asked the public to keep the men in their prayers.

US Coast Guard Leading The Search

The US Coast Guard is leading the search for Spivey and Billmaier. Officials are asking anyone with information to contact US Coast Guard Sector St Petersburg at 866-881-1392.

Authorities have shared descriptions to help locate the missing men. Spivey is 6-foot-1 with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing khaki pants and a dark-colored shirt. Billmaier is 6-foot-2 with strawberry hair and brown eyes. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office did not provide details about what he was last wearing.

Rescue teams are continuing the search, and authorities are encouraging anyone in the area or with knowledge of the men’s possible location to come forward. The Coast Guard is coordinating resources to cover the waters where the boat was found.

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The Disappearance of Randall Spivey and Brandon Billmaier: A Comprehensive Account of a Southwest Florida Tragedy

On December 19, 2025, two respected Florida attorneys—Randall “Randy” Spivey, 57, and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, 33—embarked on what was meant to be an ordinary deep-sea fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico. By the evening of that day, both men had vanished without a trace. Their 42-foot Freeman catamaran powerboat, named Unstopp-A-Bull (sometimes reported as Unstoppable), was discovered adrift and unmanned approximately 70 miles offshore the following morning. Despite one of the largest search-and-rescue operations in recent Southwest Florida history, no sign of the men has been found as of December 26, 2025. The U.S. Coast Guard suspended active searching on December 22, and the case has transitioned into a federal missing-persons investigation under the FBI.

This detailed account compiles all verified information from reputable news sources, official statements, family updates, and law-enforcement releases. It aims to provide a clear, factual narrative while addressing and debunking the wave of unsubstantiated rumors that have circulated online in the days following the disappearance.

Profiles of the Missing Men

Randall Spivey was a pillar of the Fort Myers legal community. For more than three decades, he operated the Spivey Law Firm, a personal-injury practice he founded and led as president. Colleagues and clients described him as compassionate, tenacious, and deeply committed to helping injured individuals navigate complex legal battles. Beyond his professional life, Spivey was a devoted family man—married to Tricia Spivey and father to adult children—who cherished time on the water. Friends repeatedly emphasized his extraordinary caution and experience as a boater. Paul Rocuant, Spivey’s best friend since 1995, told reporters, “He was like a brother to me… the safest, most experienced boater that you could imagine.” Spivey lived in the quiet, waterfront Iona neighborhood of Fort Myers, where the boat was docked directly behind his home on Intracoastal Court.

Brandon Billmaier, Spivey’s nephew, had followed his uncle into the legal profession with enthusiasm and promise. A trial attorney at the Shiner Law Group in Boca Raton since August 2023, Billmaier specialized in representing injured clients. Originally from Michigan and a graduate of the University of Toledo College of Law, he had relocated to South Florida relatively recently. In 2025, he married Deborah Billmaier, his partner since 2020. The couple shared a passion for travel, having visited more than 30 countries together. Friends described Brandon as adventurous yet grounded, standing 6’2″ and weighing approximately 250 pounds with distinctive strawberry-blond hair. Deborah spoke movingly of his love for fishing: “He lived for it—he lived for his family, for me.” Brandon had long expressed interest in one day joining his uncle’s firm, making their shared fishing trips both recreational and mentorship opportunities.

The uncle-nephew relationship was close and multifaceted—professional admiration blended with familial affection and a mutual passion for offshore fishing.

Timeline of Events

The pair departed early on Friday morning, December 19, 2025, from Spivey’s private dock in Fort Myers. Their destination was deep waters in the Gulf of Mexico, roughly 70–100 miles offshore near areas such as Marco Island or Flamingo, for a day of bottom fishing. Weather reports for that day indicated relatively benign conditions: light winds, moderate seas, and no severe storms forecasted in the immediate area. Family members expected the men to return by late afternoon or early evening.

As the day progressed without contact, concern mounted. By approximately 9:00 p.m., Deborah Billmaier and Tricia Spivey contacted authorities to report the men overdue. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Coast Guard were immediately notified, initiating formal missing-persons protocols.

Early on Saturday, December 20, a Coast Guard helicopter crew located the Unstopp-A-Bull adrift about 70 miles west of Naples. The vessel was upright, engines still running, and in forward gear—yet completely empty. Crucially, investigators noted that two life jackets and one life ring were missing from their usual storage locations. This observation sparked initial hope that the men had managed to don flotation devices before entering the water. The boat showed no signs of structural damage, flooding, fire, or collision. No distress call had been received via radio or EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon), and the beacon itself remained aboard and unactivated.

The discovery of the unmanned but operational vessel triggered an immediate escalation into a full-scale search-and-rescue operation.

The Search Effort

The U.S. Coast Guard coordinated what became one of the most extensive offshore searches in recent Southwest Florida memory. Assets deployed included multiple fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters from Coast Guard Air Stations in Clearwater and Miami, and more than two dozen surface vessels. Search patterns were calculated using sophisticated drift modeling that accounted for currents, wind, and the boat’s last known trajectory.

Community response was extraordinary. Private boaters, aircraft owners, and volunteers from across Florida and neighboring states converged on the area. Deborah Billmaier actively posted search coordinates and pleas for assistance on social media, even offering a monetary reward for credible information leading to recovery. Friends and colleagues organized informal flotillas to supplement official efforts.

The search continued intensively through December 20, 21, and 22. By the fourth day, Coast Guard officials briefed the families privately, expressing confidence that—if the men were still afloat on the surface—they would almost certainly have been located given the resources committed and the visibility conditions.

At sunset on Monday, December 22, the Coast Guard announced the difficult decision to suspend active search operations. In an official statement, they extended condolences and highlighted the exhaustive nature of the effort. The case immediately transitioned to the FBI for continued investigation as a federal missing-persons matter.

Family members publicly supported the suspension. Deborah Billmaier wrote on social media: “While this is heartbreaking, Brandon and Randy would never want anyone else to put their life in danger, and we know they would want this decision to be respected.”

Family and Community Reactions

The timing of the disappearance—just days before Christmas—compounded an already devastating loss. Deborah Billmaier initially appealed for a “Christmas miracle” in interviews, recounting fond memories of their last dinner together on December 18. Tricia Spivey issued emotional pleas for her husband’s safe return, describing him as an irreplaceable husband and father.

Spivey’s son spoke to the media about the incomprehensibility of the event: “Whatever happened was a one-in-a-million occurrence… I can’t even think of a scenario that makes sense.” He emphasized his father’s meticulous safety habits and vast experience.

Both law firms released statements expressing profound grief. The Shiner Law Group called Brandon “an exceptional person and a great lawyer,” while the Spivey Law Firm mourned the loss of its founder as both a leader and family member. Joint family statements thanked first responders, volunteers, and the community for overwhelming support.

Southwest Florida’s legal and boating circles rallied with tributes, fundraisers, and vigils, underscoring how deeply the two men were respected.

Addressing and Debunking Online Rumors

In the vacuum created by the absence of definitive answers, social media has seen a proliferation of sensational claims. As of December 26, 2025, none of the following rumors have any basis in credible reporting:

Night-vision or security cameras capturing “flickering figures” or “final moments” No evidence exists of onboard cameras recording events, nor have any such videos surfaced. Neighbors’ security cameras or dock footage mentioned in early speculation were reviewed by authorities and yielded nothing relevant.
Radar malfunctions or “strange pulsations” in signals indicating movement on deck The boat was located via aerial sighting and standard tracking methods. No official sources report anomalous radar returns, AIS signal irregularities, or evidence of continued activity aboard after the men vanished.
A single fishing rod or other equipment drifting ashore while safety gear remained “untouched” No debris, fishing rods, tackle, or personal items have been reported recovered on beaches or in the water. The only noted missing items were the two life jackets and life ring—consistent with intentional use in an emergency.
Viral memes or videos about alien abduction, glowing lights, or extraterrestrial interference Searches across major platforms reveal no viral content linking this case to UFOs or aliens. A few isolated conspiracy posts exist but have negligible engagement and zero evidentiary support.

These rumors appear to stem from misinformation, conflation with unrelated maritime mysteries, or deliberate sensationalism. They risk causing additional distress to grieving families and distracting from factual discourse.

Possible Explanations and Maritime Realities

Investigators and experienced mariners have discussed several plausible scenarios, all pointing toward tragic accident rather than foul play or paranormal phenomena:

One man may have fallen overboard while handling fishing gear or fighting a large catch; the second could have attempted rescue, leading both into the water.
A sudden medical event affecting one individual, prompting the other to assist.
An undetected rogue wave or rapid shift in conditions, though weather data does not indicate extreme seas.

The Gulf of Mexico’s strong currents can quickly separate individuals from a vessel, even when wearing life jackets. Survival time without rescue decreases rapidly due to hypothermia, dehydration, and exhaustion.

Statistics underscore the risks: Florida consistently leads the nation in boating incidents, with hundreds reported annually. Even the most prepared and experienced boaters are not immune to sudden, unpredictable events.

Ongoing Investigation and How to Help

The FBI continues to lead the federal missing-persons case. Private efforts by family and friends may persist, including monitoring for potential debris or sightings farther afield as currents carry objects.

Anyone with credible information is urged to contact:

Lee County Sheriff’s Office: 239-477-1000
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers (anonymous): 1-800-780-TIPS
FBI Tip Line

Conclusion

The disappearance of Randall Spivey and Brandon Billmaier is a heartbreaking reminder of the sea’s power and unpredictability. Two accomplished, cautious, and deeply loved men set out for a day of shared passion and simply never returned. Their families face an unimaginable holiday season without answers or closure.

While the active search has ended, hope—in whatever form it takes—lingers in the hearts of those who knew them. The Southwest Florida community continues to rally in support, honoring the legacies of two individuals who dedicated their lives to helping others.

This account remains grounded exclusively in verified facts from reputable sources as of December 26, 2025. As the investigation continues, any significant developments will come through official channels. Until then, compassion, respect for the families’ privacy, and adherence to facts should guide all discussion of this profound loss.