In a dramatic turn in the ongoing search for two missing Florida men, authorities have reportedly detected an unexplained signal from the seabed, located approximately 12 nautical miles from the site where their abandoned boat was discovered. The case involves Randall “Randy” Spivey, a 57-year-old prominent personal injury attorney from Fort Myers, and his 33-year-old nephew, Brandon Billmaier, also a lawyer based in Boca Raton.

The pair set out on a deep-sea fishing trip aboard Spivey’s 42-foot Freeman catamaran, named “Unstopp-A-Bull” or “Unstoppable,” early on the morning of December 19, 2025, departing from a private dock in Iona, near Fort Myers. They were expected to return by late afternoon but never made contact. Family members raised the alarm that evening, prompting an immediate response from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Coast Guard.

The empty vessel was located adrift about 70 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico on December 20, with engines possibly still running and no signs of the men onboard. Notably, two life jackets were missing, fueling hopes that Spivey and Billmaier had donned them after an accident. Investigators believe one may have fallen overboard during bottom-fishing, with the other jumping in to assist, only for the unmanned boat to drift away.

A massive search ensued, covering thousands of square miles with aircraft, boats, and volunteer vessels from across Florida. Despite exhaustive efforts over several days, no trace of the men was found on the surface. On December 22, the Coast Guard suspended active search operations at sunset, citing the vast area covered and the unlikelihood of survival after prolonged exposure. The case has since transitioned to an FBI missing persons investigation, exploring all possibilities.

Now, on Christmas Eve 2025, reports of a mysterious underwater signal have reignited urgency. Detected beneath the ocean floor roughly 12 nautical miles from the boat’s recovery location, the signal’s origin remains unclear—potentially from personal equipment, debris, or natural sources. Police and rescue teams have mobilized divers to investigate the site immediately, plunging into the depths in hopes of uncovering clues or, optimistically, signs of life.

Family members, including Brandon’s wife Deborah and Randy’s relatives, have expressed a mix of cautious hope and heartbreak throughout the ordeal. Described as inseparable, with Brandon viewing his uncle as a father figure and mentor in law, the duo shared a passion for fishing and family. Brandon had recently married, adding to the emotional weight of the disappearance during the holiday season.

While the Coast Guard’s suspension brought devastation, this new development offers a glimmer in an otherwise grim saga. Divers are actively exploring the seabed, equipped to handle challenging conditions in the Gulf’s deeper waters. Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant, though no further details on the signal’s nature have been released pending the dive results.

As the investigation continues, the community holds its breath, wondering if this underwater anomaly will finally solve the mystery of what happened to Randy Spivey and Brandon Billmaier.