Wife of missing boater off Florida coast mourns loss, remembers loved one after search suspended
Brandon Billmaier and his uncle, Randy Spivey, who were 33 years old and 57 years old, respectively, went on a fishing trip on Friday and never returned, leaving their loved ones distraught.
Deborah Billmaier, Brandon’s wife, shared the sorrow she feels for losing her husband.
“He loved fishing, that’s all he talked about. He lived for it, he lived for his family, for me,” she said.
Deborah shared the last text message she received from Brandon before he headed out to sea.
“He texted me that morning, and he said, ‘I love you. I will see you tonight, be back home tonight,” said Deborah.
The Billmaiers were newlyweds and had recently celebrated their first anniversary in Paris.
The U.S. Coast Guard searched for the two missing men off the coast of Fort Myers, which was their last known location, since Friday night. But on Monday evening, officials called off the search.
Deborah said that the two men may have looked over one more fishing spot on the way back when one of them fell overboard.
“It must have been an emergency because the other person jumped in after them. I guess in the moments whoever jumped in after, whoever was in the water, they didn’t realize the engines were on,” said Deborah.
Deborah was thankful that the two men were together and said that her husband always admired his uncle.
“He became an attorney to follow in Uncle Randy’s footsteps. Our first date, he told me he moved to Florida because he wanted to be like Uncle Randy, and that his whole life he was working to be just like him, law school, passed the bar exam,” said Deborah.
While the holiday season will be difficult for her and their family, she is grateful for the support she has received.
“I think we are really grateful that people everyone from everywhere are praying for us and keeping them in their minds,” said Deborah.
The FBI has taken the lead on the investigation.
Search suspended for 2 missing men off Fort Myers Beach after fishing trip ends with empty boat
The U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search for two missing boaters at sunset on Monday, as it had continued its search and rescue operation for two men who went missing during a fishing trip off Fort Myers Beach on Friday.
Randy Spivey Sr., 57, and his nephew, Brandon Billmaier, 33, never returned home after leaving in the morning. By night, the family called for help, which prompted the search.
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Kaci, the girlfriend of the missing man’s son, Randy Spivey Jr., said, “Brandon has looked up to Randy as if he were his father, truly a second father to him. It was his role model. I mean, like throughout his entire life, he’s been there to guide him and, you know, graduate, weddings. Like everything. Brandon just got married. They’ve been there for every step. Brandon is so loved by Randy, he’s like his son.”
Spivey Jr. was in Alabama visiting friends when he received the call about his father and cousin. He drove through the night to return to his family in Florida and help coordinate search efforts.
“After the utmost consideration and careful review of all factors involved in this case, the Coast Guard made the difficult decision to suspend its active search efforts,” said Capt. Corrie Sergent, commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg. “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. We offer our sincere condolences to the families and friends of Mr. Spivey and Mr. Billmaier during this extremely difficult time.”
More than two dozen boats were deployed in the search, and the Coast Guard located the missing boat approximately 70 miles offshore on Saturday, around 12 a.m.
A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater helicopter crew found the boat. It was brought back to Station Fort Myers Beach for further investigation, according to the Coast Guard.
“So everyone’s so appreciative of all the help. And we are just hoping and praying that this all continues until we bring them home. That’s our main focus: bringing them home,” Kaci said.
The family has since released the following statement:
“Since Friday, when this tragic event occurred, the United States Coast Guard — together with agencies from Collier County, Lee County, the Florida Guard, the military, and many other organizations — have combined forces using the most advanced technology and equipment available. The search effort has covered an area larger than the entire state of Connecticut.
“In a private briefing with Coast Guard leadership, the family was informed that, given the enormous amount of time, resources, and strategic effort focused on the most logical search areas, there is the highest degree of confidence that if Randy and Brandon were on the surface of the water, they would have been found.
“With that understanding, the Coast Guard has advised the family that as of sundown today, the active search must be suspended.
“While this is heartbreaking, the family is certain this is the correct decision and holds the deepest respect, gratitude, and acceptance for it.
“Randy was an attorney helping those who were injured for over 30 years. Likewise, following in his uncle’s footsteps, Brandon was also an attorney advocating for those who were injured as well. Few people were more concerned about the safety of innocent people than Randy and Brandon. We know — without question — that they would reach the same conclusion as the experts: that everything possible has been done. They would ask that this decision be respected and that the bravery and heroism of those who searched — those in the air and on the water doing the real, dangerous work — be honored.
“This is incredibly difficult for the family and for everyone hoping for a different outcome. We respectfully ask that the decision to suspend the search be honored, both from a professional agency standpoint and from a volunteer standpoint. The search area, which is now more than 100 miles offshore, continues to move west and farther from shore, creating increasing risk, and it is no longer safe to ask volunteers to put themselves in serious danger.
“For those who know Randy and Brandon, there is no doubt this is exactly how they would feel.
“The family asks for your compassion, understanding, and support during this unimaginably difficult time. We love you all.”
The Search Efforts
The boat, a green 42-foot Freeman catamaran named “Unstoppable,” was found by the Coast Guard on Saturday morning running and drifting about 70 miles offshore from Fort Myers, with no one on board.
The U.S. Coast Guard, which led the search from Miami, was joined by Collier and Lee County fire and law enforcement crews, with firefighters who volunteered their time on the water. Volunteer pilots also joined the search, taking private planes from Naples Airport to assist in locating the missing fishermen.
Special to Gulf Coast News
Randy Spivey’s boat was found by the U.S. Coast Guard 70 miles offshore, running with nobody on board.
Search coordinators renewed hope after learning that they may have been wearing blue and yellow auto-inflate life jackets, which could increase their chances of survival.
Scott Smith, a civilian rescue coordinator for the U.S. Coast Guard, said, “Randy was more likely wearing a life jacket and an auto-inflate life jacket, which gives everybody a little bit more hope that if they’re wearing life jackets.”
Special to Gulf Coast News
Volunteers search for Randy and Brandon on Monday.
Community Search Efforts
Family members are also part of the Southwest Florida community for a large, coordinated volunteer search, which began early Sunday morning and continued on Monday.
In a message shared online, the family called on anyone with a boat capable of a 225-mile range to help.
The Coast Guard issued a new official search grid at 8 a.m., which was distributed to volunteers by text. Boats departed from ports between Punta Gorda and Marco Island. Volunteers were asked to text message Paul at 239-634-3400 with the following information:
Departure port
Vessel name
Captain and first mate names and cell numbers
Vessel range
“Thank you for your help and prayers. Please pass this on,” the family said, expressing gratitude for the community’s support.
Special to Gulf Coast News
The U.S. Coast Guard leads the search for two missing boaters.
Coast Guard Search
The U.S. Coast Guard said the search area remained about 70 miles offshore, centered near 25-36N, 083-16W, spanning roughly 35 statute miles and reaching up to 5,000 feet in altitude.
A smaller cutter, multiple aircraft, and surface crews were involved. Air Force assets also assisted.
The Coast Guard advised all aircraft to maintain situational awareness and not to interfere with search-and-rescue crews.
They also urged monitoring of Channel 16 and reporting any important information to the U.S. Coast Guard.
If you have information, you can also contact the U.S. Coast Guard Sector St. Pete watchstanders at 866-881-1392.
Watcherstanders maintained a continuous watch and direct coordination with partner agencies to deploy Coast Guard assets at a moment’s notice for emergent search and rescue cases.
