The Mysterious Disappearance of Randall Spivey and Brandon Billmaier: An Empty Boat in the Gulf

On December 19, 2025, two experienced Florida attorneys—uncle and nephew—set out for what was supposed to be a routine offshore fishing trip. Randall Spivey, 57, a prominent personal injury lawyer from Fort Myers, and Brandon Billmaier, 33, an associate at a Boca Raton firm, departed early from a private dock in the Iona area aboard a high-end 42-foot Freeman catamaran named “Unstopp-A-Bull.” They were expected back by sunset, but as evening fell, concern grew when neither man contacted their families. By nightfall, the U.S. Coast Guard was alerted, launching one of the largest search operations in recent Southwest Florida history.

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Authorities Call Off Search for Missing Uncle and Nephew

Randall Spivey (left) and Brandon Billmaier (right), the two missing boaters.

What followed has captivated the public and left investigators puzzled: the boat was discovered adrift, engines still running and in gear, with no signs of damage, distress, or the two men. Two life jackets were missing, offering a sliver of hope that they might have donned them before entering the water. Yet, after days of exhaustive searching, the Coast Guard suspended active operations on December 22, and the FBI has since taken over the case as a missing persons investigation. As of late December 2025, Spivey and Billmaier remain unaccounted for, turning a beloved pastime into a haunting maritime mystery.

Who Were the Missing Men?

Randall “Randy” Spivey was no stranger to the water or the courtroom. As president of the Spivey Law Firm in Fort Myers, he had built a reputation as a dedicated personal injury attorney, advocating for clients in high-stakes cases. Described by family as safety-conscious and passionate about fishing—a hobby he’d enjoyed for over 30 years—Spivey was 6’1″, 245 pounds, with brown hair and eyes. He was last seen wearing khaki pants and a dark shirt.

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Coast Guard searches for missing attorneys off Fort Myers coast …

Portrait of Randall Spivey, the experienced boater and attorney.

His nephew, Brandon Billmaier, followed in his uncle’s footsteps, earning his law degree and joining the Shiner Law Group in Boca Raton as a trial attorney in 2023. At 6’2″ and 250 pounds, with strawberry-blond hair, Billmaier was an avid outdoorsman who shared his uncle’s love for fishing and had dreams of one day partnering in the family firm. Family members portrayed the duo as close, with Billmaier viewing Spivey as a mentor both professionally and personally.

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Coast Guard searches for missing attorneys off Fort Myers coast …

Brandon Billmaier, the younger attorney who aspired to join his uncle’s practice.

Their trip was typical for seasoned Gulf anglers: heading approximately 70-100 miles offshore for bottom fishing in deep waters teeming with grouper and snapper. The weather that day was reportedly favorable, with no severe storms noted in official reports.

The Discovery of the Empty Vessel

The alarm was raised around 9 p.m. on December 19 when the men failed to return. A Coast Guard helicopter was deployed by 11 p.m., and just after midnight on December 20, crews located “Unstopp-A-Bull” adrift about 70 miles west of Fort Myers, near the Naples/Marco Island area.

The scene was eerie: the boat was upright, undamaged, and still in gear with engines idling—suggesting it had been abandoned suddenly while underway. No signs of struggle, foul play, or mechanical failure were immediately apparent. Critically, two life jackets were absent from their storage, leading families to hope the men had time to prepare for entering the water. A life ring was also reported missing in some accounts.

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Coast Guard searches for missing attorneys off Fort Myers coast …

An illustration of an empty fishing boat adrift in the Gulf, similar to the discovery of “Unstopp-A-Bull.”

The Freeman 42LR is a premium offshore catamaran built by Freeman Boatworks, renowned for its stability, speed (cruising at up to 45 knots), and shallow draft. Valued between $800,000 and $1.4 million, these vessels are favorites among serious anglers for long-range trips.

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The Freeman 42LR catamaran, the model of boat involved in the incident.

The Massive Search Effort

The Coast Guard’s response was swift and extensive, covering nearly 6,700 square miles with aircraft, boats, and helicopters. Volunteers from across Florida and neighboring states joined, including private vessels capable of offshore ranges. Search patterns focused on drift models, currents, and wind, extending from Fort Myers to Marco Island and beyond.

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Coast Guard suspends search for helicopter that crashed with 4 on …

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter conducting a search operation over the Gulf of Mexico.

Despite the efforts, no trace of the men was found. On December 22, at sunset, the active search was suspended—a decision described by Coast Guard Capt. Corrie Sergent as “heartbreaking” but necessary to avoid risking further lives. “We offer our sincere condolences to the families,” Sergent stated.

Families expressed gratitude for the response while clinging to hope. Tricia Spivey, Randall’s wife, called her husband “the most safety-prone person” and urged continued prayers. Deborah Billmaier, Brandon’s wife, acknowledged the difficulty but respected the suspension, noting the men “would never want anyone else to put their life in danger.”

Why the FBI Involvement?

With the Coast Guard’s search-and-rescue phase concluded, the case shifted to investigation. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office announced that the FBI had “assumed” the missing persons probe. While no official statements have confirmed foul play, the unusual circumstances—sudden disappearance from a moving, undamaged vessel—have prompted scrutiny.

Speculation in boating forums and media includes accidental overboard incidents, perhaps from a rogue wave or medical emergency. Freemans are praised for stability, but sudden maneuvers in rough seas can be hazardous. The missing life jackets suggest preparation, but the lack of an activated EPIRB (emergency beacon) raises questions. Some wonder if both men entered the water to assist one another, only to be separated by currents.

No evidence of piracy, drug-related issues, or prior threats has been publicly disclosed. The attorneys’ professional lives involved litigation, but authorities have not linked any cases to the disappearance.

A Community in Mourning

The incident has resonated deeply in Southwest Florida’s tight-knit boating and legal communities. Vigils and social media campaigns continue, with hashtags calling for awareness. As Christmas approached without answers, families prepared for a somber holiday, holding onto faint hope of a miracle.

This case echoes historical Gulf mysteries, where vast waters and strong currents swallow secrets. Yet, the pristine condition of the boat—engines running, no chaos—adds an unsettling layer: no damage, no evident panic, just gone.

As the FBI delves deeper, questions linger: What caused two experienced men to vanish from a state-of-the-art vessel? Will currents eventually yield clues, or will this remain one of the Gulf’s enduring enigmas?