The Mysterious Disappearance of Randall Spivey and Brandon Billmaier: A Gulf of Mexico Enigma

On December 19, 2025, two experienced Florida attorneys—uncle and nephew Randall “Randy” Spivey, 57, and Brandon Billmaier, 33—set out for what was intended to be a routine deep-sea fishing trip off the coast of Fort Myers. They departed early that morning from a private dock on Intracoastal Court in the Iona area, aboard Spivey’s prized 42-foot Freeman Boatworks catamaran named Unstopp-A-Bull (sometimes referred to as Unstoppable in reports). The vessel, a high-performance offshore fishing machine valued in the range of $800,000 to over $1.4 million depending on customizations, was well-equipped for long-range excursions into the Gulf of Mexico.

Spivey, a prominent personal injury attorney and founder of the Spivey Law Firm in Fort Myers, was described by family and friends as an avid and highly safety-conscious boater with decades of experience on the water. Billmaier, his nephew and an associate trial attorney at the Shiner Law Group in Boca Raton, shared his uncle’s passion for fishing, often joining him on such outings. The pair planned to venture approximately 100 miles offshore, targeting prime fishing grounds, with an expected return by sunset that evening.

When they failed to return or make contact by late evening, their families grew alarmed. By 9 p.m., wives Tricia Spivey and Deborah Billmaier contacted authorities, prompting the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) and U.S. Coast Guard to initiate a search. What unfolded over the next several days would become one of the largest maritime search operations in Southwest Florida history, involving multiple agencies, volunteer boaters and pilots from across the state, and ultimately drawing federal attention from the FBI.

Discovery of the Empty Vessel

In the early hours of December 20, a Coast Guard helicopter crew located the Unstopp-A-Bull adrift approximately 70 miles west of Fort Myers, near the areas of Naples, Marco Island, and Flamingo. The boat was found upright, with its engines still running and in gear—a detail that immediately raised questions about how the men could have vanished without shutting down the vessel or shifting it to neutral.

Critically, there were no signs of the two men aboard. The boat showed no apparent damage, no evidence of collision or structural failure, and no indications of foul play on the surface. Fishing equipment remained onboard, including rods that were not deployed in the water, and some fish had already been caught and stored. Family friend and local attorney Paul Rocuant, speaking on behalf of the families, noted that the vessel appeared undisturbed in many ways, with tackle and gear in place.

However, key items were missing: two life jackets (one possibly an auto-inflating model in blue and yellow that Spivey was known to wear) and a white life ring. This led family members, including Spivey’s son Randall Jr., to express hope that the men had donned the vests and were afloat, potentially awaiting rescue. The emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) remained unused on the boat, which puzzled investigators given the pair’s experience and emphasis on safety.

The Coast Guard described the discovery as eerie: a fully operational, high-end catamaran ghosting through the Gulf with no one at the helm. The Freeman 42LR model is renowned for its stability, speed (capable of over 70 mph with quad outboards), and offshore prowess, featuring vented twin hulls, massive livewells, insulated fishboxes, and extensive rod holders. It is designed precisely for the kind of deep-water fishing Spivey and Billmaier were pursuing, making the abandonment all the more baffling.

The Massive Search Effort

The search operation quickly escalated. The U.S. Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg deployed aircraft, cutters, and surface assets, covering thousands of square miles. Volunteer efforts were extraordinary: dozens of private boats and aircraft from Florida and neighboring states joined, coordinated through family networks. Search grids extended westward as currents pushed potential debris fields farther offshore.

Families remained publicly optimistic initially. Deborah Billmaier posted on social media about holding onto hope for a “Christmas miracle,” while Tricia Spivey pleaded for information, emphasizing her husband’s expertise: “He’s the most safety-prone person.” Statements from the Shiner Law Group and Spivey Law Firm expressed profound sadness but gratitude for the community’s support.

By December 22, after three full days of intensive searching covering over 6,700 square miles, the Coast Guard faced a heartbreaking decision. At sunset on Monday, December 22, they suspended active search-and-rescue operations. Captain Corrie Sergent commended the efforts but cited diminishing probabilities and increasing risks to rescuers as the search area drifted into more remote, rougher waters.

In a family statement relayed through Paul Rocuant, the relatives expressed full support for the suspension: “While this is heartbreaking, Brandon and Randy would never want anyone else to put their life in danger… We know—without question—that they would reach the same conclusion as the experts: that everything possible has been done.” They thanked the Coast Guard, volunteers, and community for their “utmost professionalism, persistence, and compassion.”

Transition to Federal Investigation

With the Coast Guard’s search suspended, the case shifted gears. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office announced that the FBI had assumed lead on the missing persons investigation. This federal involvement suggests a deeper probe into potential scenarios beyond a simple accident, though authorities have not publicly indicated suspicion of criminal activity.

The FBI’s role brings additional resources, including forensic analysis of the recovered boat (towed to the Coast Guard station in Fort Myers Beach for inspection) and interviews with associates. As both men were attorneys handling personal injury cases—potentially involving high-stakes litigation—investigators may explore professional angles, though no evidence of threats or disputes has been reported.

Theories and Speculation Surrounding the Disappearance

The circumstances of the Unstopp-A-Bull‘s discovery have fueled widespread speculation. The boat running in gear implies the men were not at the controls when whatever occurred happened suddenly. Family friend Rocuant suggested possibilities like a medical emergency affecting one man, leading the other to attempt assistance, resulting in both entering the water unexpectedly.

Common theories among maritime experts and online forums include:

Man Overboard Chain Reaction: One man falls overboard (perhaps while gaffing a fish, retrieving gear, or due to a wave), and the second instinctively tries to help, only for both to be unable to reboard the moving vessel. The Freeman’s high freeboard and speed would make climbing back aboard difficult without a ladder or assistance.
Medical Incident: Spivey, at 57 and described as robust, or Billmaier could have suffered a sudden health issue, prompting urgent action.
Environmental Factors: Though weather reports for December 19 indicate moderate conditions, unexpected rogue waves or currents in the Gulf are always possible.

No distress calls were received, and cell phones/wallets’ presence on the boat remains unconfirmed in public reports.

One circulating rumor—mentioned in boating forums and social media—alleges that life vests, fishing rods, and tackle boxes were found “intact and undisturbed” on the boat, suggesting no panic or struggle. Additionally, whispers of a “small, sealed cooler” containing an undisclosed detail that “no one has yet revealed” have emerged, with some claiming this evidence is “publicly understood” yet withheld pending investigation.

As a hypothetical scenario, if such a sealed cooler existed and contained something anomalous—perhaps documents, a note, or items unrelated to fishing—it could point toward intentional departure or external involvement. However, no official sources have confirmed the existence or contents of any such cooler. Authorities have released limited details about the boat’s interior to preserve investigative integrity. These elements remain speculative and unverified, potentially stemming from misinformation or conjecture amid the case’s high profile.

The Human Impact

The disappearance has devastated two close-knit families preparing for the holidays without answers. Deborah Billmaier found some solace in knowing her husband spent his final known hours doing what he loved: fishing alongside family. Spivey’s son, Randall Jr., spoke of his father’s lifelong passion for the sea and the shock of the empty boat’s discovery.

Communities in Fort Myers, Boca Raton, and Weston (Billmaier’s residence) rallied with vigils, fundraisers, and continued private searches. The legal world mourned two dedicated professionals: Spivey, a board-certified trial lawyer known for advocating for the injured, and Billmaier, a rising attorney following in his uncle’s footsteps with dreams of joining the family firm.

Ongoing Mystery and Lessons for Boaters

As of December 30, 2025, Randall Spivey and Brandon Billmaier remain missing, with no bodies or debris definitively linked to them recovered. The FBI continues its investigation, urging anyone with information to contact local authorities or federal tips lines.

This case underscores the Gulf of Mexico’s unforgiving nature, even for seasoned boaters on state-of-the-art vessels. Experts renew calls for mandatory use of personal locator beacons (PLBs), kill switches tethered to operators, and automatic EPIRB deployment systems. The Unstopp-A-Bull‘s unused EPIRB serves as a poignant reminder.

The disappearance of Spivey and Billmaier joins a lamentable list of maritime mysteries—vessels found adrift, crews vanished without trace. Whether accident, misadventure, or something more sinister, the truth lies somewhere in the depths. For now, families hold vigil, hoping for closure in a story that began with the simple joy of a fishing trip and ended in profound enigma.