The disappearance of two prominent Florida attorneys, Randall “Randy” Spivey, 57, and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, 33, has gripped the nation with a haunting maritime mystery. The uncle-nephew duo vanished during a deep-sea fishing trip on December 19, 2025, leaving behind an empty boat and unanswered questions that continue to baffle investigators and devastate their families.

The pair set out early that Friday morning from Spivey’s waterfront home in Iona, near Fort Myers, aboard a 42-foot Freeman catamaran named “Unstopp-A-Bull.” Experienced boaters passionate about fishing, they were expected back by evening. When they failed to return, family members alerted authorities around 9 p.m., sparking an immediate multi-agency response led by the U.S. Coast Guard.

By early Saturday, search teams located the vessel approximately 70 miles offshore, near Naples and Marco Island in the Gulf of Mexico. Shockingly, the boat was found upright, engines running, and completely unmanned. No signs of distress or damage were reported, but two life jackets were missing – offering a glimmer of hope that the men might have been wearing them. Volunteers from across the Southeast rallied, joining Coast Guard aircraft and vessels in an exhaustive grid search covering vast ocean expanses.

Randy Spivey, a respected personal injury attorney in Southwest Florida with over 30 years of experience, was described by loved ones as a devoted family man and safety-conscious boater. His nephew, Brandon Billmaier, recently married and a trial attorney at the Shiner Law Group in Boca Raton, had followed in his uncle’s footsteps, viewing Randy as a mentor and second father figure.

As days passed without sightings, hope faded. On December 22, after covering thousands of square miles with dozens of boats and aerial support, the Coast Guard made the heartbreaking decision to suspend active search operations at sunset. Family statements expressed profound grief but supported the call, noting that Randy and Brandon would never want others risking their lives. “While this is heartbreaking, Brandon and Randy would never want anyone else to put their life in danger,” wrote Deborah Billmaier, Brandon’s wife, on social media.

The case has since transitioned to an FBI investigation, exploring all possibilities in this puzzling vanishing. Theories range from accidental falls overboard during fishing to unforeseen mechanical issues or environmental factors in the remote Gulf waters. No evidence of foul play has emerged, but the absence of the men despite the boat’s intact condition raises eerie questions.

As of late December 2025, Randy Spivey and Brandon Billmaier remain missing. Their families cling to slim hopes of a miracle while urging continued awareness. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the Gulf’s unforgiving nature, even for seasoned mariners. The legal community and Southwest Florida mourn two dedicated professionals whose lives were cut short in pursuit of a beloved pastime.