One of the boaters missing off Fort Myers is lawyer at Boca Raton firm

Brandon Billmaier (left) and Randall Spivey. (Lee County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook )

The U.S. Coast Guard suspended a search for two missing boaters off the Gulf coast on Monday, “pending the development of new information,” the agency said.

Authorities were searching for 57-year-old Randall Spivey and 33-year-old Brandon Billmaier, who were reported missing by family around 9 p.m. Friday.

A helicopter crew discovered their boat empty and still running on Saturday, roughly 70 miles west of Fort Myers, after the two men didn’t return from a fishing trip 100 miles offshore.

“There is no harder decision than suspending a search. I am incredibly grateful for the crews, partners, and volunteers across this community who executed this massive search with the utmost professionalism, persistence, and compassion,” said Capt. Corrie Sergent, commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg.

Spivey is Billmaier’s uncle, according to a statement from the Boca Raton-based Shiner Law Group, where Billmaier is an attorney:

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.

The Coast Guard said the FBI is now leading the missing person investigation.

Clarifying Misinformation in the Randall Spivey and Brandon Billmaier Disappearance: No Reports of Drifting Fishing Rod or Recovered Equipment

The ongoing case of missing Florida attorneys Randall “Randy” Spivey, 57, and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, 33, continues to evoke deep concern as of December 26, 2025. The two experienced boaters vanished during a deep-sea fishing trip on December 19, 2025, aboard Spivey’s 42-foot Freeman catamaran “Unstopp-A-Bull.” The vessel was discovered adrift and empty approximately 70 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico on December 20, with engines running, no damage, and no occupants. An extensive search was suspended on December 22, and the matter is now a federal missing persons investigation led by the FBI.

Recent online claims suggesting that “an intact fishing rod drifted ashore alone” while “other safety equipment remained untouched”—implying a mysterious or selective loss of items—appear to be unfounded. Thorough reviews of credible news sources, including Fox News, USA Today, The News-Press, Palm Beach Post, People Magazine, WINK News, and Gulf Coast News Now, reveal no mentions of any debris, fishing rods, or recovered equipment washing ashore or being found separately.

Key Verified Details on the Boat and Equipment

When located by the U.S. Coast Guard, the boat was upright, operational, and in gear.
Notably, two life jackets and a life ring were missing, which fueled early hope that the men may have donned them before entering the water.
No distress beacon (EPIRB) was activated, and it remained on the vessel.
There were no reports of damage, foul play, or scattered gear indicating a struggle.
Fishing equipment, rods, or other items were not described as missing, lost overboard, or recovered independently. All coverage emphasizes the sudden absence of the men from an otherwise intact and equipped boat.

Friends and family have repeatedly highlighted the men’s expertise and preparedness: Spivey was described as “the safest, most experienced boater,” and both always prioritized safety gear. However, no statements or reports confirm a single fishing rod drifting ashore as a “chilling memento” or suggest untouched safety equipment contrasting with one isolated item.

Why These Claims Lack Support

Such details— a lone fishing rod washing up while other gear stays aboard—would likely feature prominently in updates if true, especially given the high-profile nature of the case and involvement of volunteers scanning shorelines and waters. Instead, all reporting focuses on:

The missing life jackets as a potential positive sign.
The exhaustive search covering thousands of square miles.
Family pleas and community support.

Sensational elements like drifting rods or selective equipment loss do not appear in any official statements, family social media updates, or journalistic accounts. These may arise from misinformation, conflation with other maritime incidents, or unverified social media speculation.

Current Status and Family Perspective

The families remain in mourning during the holiday season, expressing gratitude for search efforts while respecting the suspension. Deborah Billmaier has shared heartfelt messages about her husband’s love for fishing and family. No new leads or recoveries have been publicly announced.

The ocean’s currents and vastness make such tragedies unpredictable, even for seasoned individuals. Plausible explanations from experts include an accidental overboard event during fishing activities, possibly one assisting the other.

If credible information emerges about any items or sightings, authorities encourage reports to the FBI, Lee County Sheriff’s Office (239-477-1000), or Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers (1-800-780-TIPS).

This update draws solely from verified sources as of December 26, 2025. The case is developing, but extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence—none exists here for drifting equipment telling a “strange story.” Compassion for the families means prioritizing facts over speculation.