In a stunning development that has revived a case many feared was closed, maritime authorities have detected a mysterious underwater signal in the Gulf of Mexico, potentially linked to the disappearance of Fort Myers attorney Randall “Randy” Spivey, 57, and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, 33, from Boca Raton. The signal, picked up on January 14, 2026, during routine sonar monitoring, originates from depths of around 200 feet and lies approximately 12 miles from where their abandoned 42-foot Freeman catamaran was recovered last month. Although the U.S. Coast Guard had suspended its active search on December 22, 2025, this anomaly has prompted the deployment of specialized dive teams, reigniting hope for the families while stirring fresh speculation about what befell the two experienced fishermen. This article examines the timeline of events, the latest breakthrough, expert analyses, and the ongoing investigation into one of Southwest Florida’s most baffling maritime mysteries.

The saga began on the morning of December 19, 2025, when Spivey and Billmaier departed from Fort Myers Beach for what was intended as a routine day of deep-sea fishing. Aboard Spivey’s vessel, “Unstopp-A-Bull,” the pair—both attorneys with a shared passion for the outdoors—headed roughly 100 miles offshore, targeting species like grouper in the fertile waters of the Gulf. Family members, including Spivey’s wife Tricia and Billmaier’s wife Deborah, expected them back by sunset. When no word came by 9 p.m., alarms were raised, prompting an immediate response from the Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg.

Just after midnight on December 20, a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter located the boat adrift about 70 miles west of Naples. The scene was eerie: engines idling in gear, fishing lines still deployed, but no sign of the men. Two life jackets were missing, suggesting they might have donned them in an emergency, while a third remained onboard. No distress signal had been activated via the boat’s EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon), and initial inspections revealed no evidence of capsizing, fire, or mechanical failure. The vessel was towed back to Fort Myers Beach for forensic examination, where investigators from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) joined the effort.

For the next three days, a massive search operation unfolded, covering over 6,700 square miles—an area comparable to the state of Connecticut. Assets included fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, cutters, and response boats, supplemented by volunteer vessels from local fishing communities. Weather conditions were cooperative at first, with mild seas and clear skies, but as days passed without leads, survival odds diminished. Water temperatures hovered around 68°F, cold enough to induce hypothermia within hours without proper gear. On December 22, the Coast Guard made the heart-wrenching call to suspend the search, citing exhaustive coverage and no new information. “This was not a decision we took lightly,” Lt. Cmdr. Amy Harrison stated in a press release. “Our thoughts are with the families during this difficult time.”

The suspension shifted the case from rescue to recovery and investigation. By December 23, the FBI had joined, treating it as a missing persons inquiry with potential criminal elements. Speculation ran rampant: Had one fallen overboard while the other attempted a rescue, only for the boat to drift away? Were there signs of foul play, perhaps linked to Spivey’s high-profile legal career handling personal injury cases? Or was it a freak accident involving marine life or rogue waves? Family statements emphasized the men’s expertise—Spivey, a seasoned boater and owner of Spivey Law Firm, often ventured far offshore, while Billmaier, a trial attorney at Shiner Law Group, shared his uncle’s enthusiasm for fishing.

In the ensuing weeks, the story captured national attention. Vigils dotted Fort Myers Beach, with candles illuminating the shoreline as loved ones shared stories of the duo’s close bond. Deborah Billmaier, in an emotional interview with WINK News on December 24, recalled her husband’s last text: “Having a great time out here—fish are biting!” She described their life together, from meeting in 2020 to building a family, and expressed unwavering hope. “Brandon lived for the water, but he lived for us more,” she said. Tricia Spivey echoed the sentiment on social media, thanking volunteers and urging continued prayers. Community support poured in, with GoFundMe campaigns raising over $200,000 by early January for private searches and family aid.

Marine experts weighed in on possible scenarios. Dr. Elena Ramirez, an oceanographer at the University of Miami, noted the Gulf’s Loop Current could have carried debris or the men far from the boat’s location. “Currents here can exceed 2 knots, dispersing evidence quickly,” she explained. Survival specialists pointed to cases like the 2023 Hawaiian fisherman who endured 13 days adrift, but emphasized the Gulf’s hazards: sharks, dehydration, and exposure. The boat’s condition—engines running, no apparent damage—suggested a sudden event, perhaps a medical emergency or entanglement in fishing gear.

Then, on January 14, 2026, came the breakthrough. During a collaborative monitoring operation between the Coast Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), acoustic equipment detected an intermittent pinging signal from the seafloor. Sources described it as “chilling”—a rhythmic pattern akin to a distress beacon, but muffled by depth and sediment. Located 12 miles northwest of the boat’s recovery site, in waters influenced by the same currents, the signal raised immediate questions: Could it be from a personal locator beacon (PLB) the men carried? Or perhaps wreckage from the boat? “It’s like a voice from the deep,” one investigator told Fox News anonymously. “We’re not ruling anything out.”

By January 15, dive operations commenced. Teams from the Coast Guard’s Mobile Dive Locker, equipped with ROVs and mixed-gas diving suits, began probing the site. Challenges abound: poor visibility due to silt, strong undercurrents, and depths requiring decompression protocols. “This is high-risk work,” said Capt. Mark Fedor, chief of response for Coast Guard District Seven. “But if there’s a chance this leads to answers, we’re all in.” The FBI, coordinating with local agencies, has intensified forensics, analyzing the boat for DNA, fingerprints, and digital data from onboard electronics.

Public reaction has been fervent. Social media platforms buzz with theories, from conspiracy angles—tying Spivey’s legal work to potential enemies—to supernatural tales of the Bermuda Triangle’s influence, though the Gulf is outside that zone. Conservative outlets like Fox News have highlighted the FBI’s role, questioning if foul play was overlooked initially. “These aren’t novices; something doesn’t add up,” host Laura Ingraham commented on “The Ingraham Angle.” Progressive voices, meanwhile, focus on maritime safety reforms, citing 2025’s record 600+ boating fatalities nationwide.

The families remain cautiously optimistic. In a January 15 statement, Tricia Spivey said, “This signal could be our miracle. We’re grateful for every effort.” Deborah Billmaier added on Facebook: “Keep the faith—Brandon and Randy are fighters.” Private firms, including sonar specialists hired via crowdfunding, are assisting, scanning wider areas.

Broader implications loom for boating regulations. Advocacy groups like BoatUS call for mandatory PLBs and improved tracking tech. The Gulf’s popularity for recreation—millions of trips annually—underscores risks, with falls overboard accounting for 30% of incidents per U.S. Coast Guard data. Experts urge filing float plans and monitoring weather apps.

As divers descend, the Gulf guards its secrets. If the signal yields clues—a beacon, debris, or tragically, remains—it could resolve this enigma. If not, the mystery deepens, joining ranks of unsolved maritime vanishings. For now, hope flickers like a beacon in the dark, as authorities and families press on in pursuit of truth amid the waves.