In a heartbreaking development that has gripped Florida’s Gulf Coast communities, authorities have officially closed the active search for two missing attorneys after the discovery of clothing believed to belong to one of the men, signaling a tragic conclusion to a case that began as a routine fishing excursion. The find, a dark-colored shirt identified as that of 33-year-old Brandon Billmaier, was recovered on December 31, 2025, amid debris near the Dry Tortugas, providing what investigators describe as critical evidence in the disappearance of Billmaier and his uncle, 57-year-old Randall “Randy” Spivey.

The saga unfolded on December 19, 2025, when Spivey and Billmaier, both prominent personal injury lawyers, departed from a private dock in Fort Myers aboard Spivey’s 42-foot Freeman fishing boat. The pair, described by colleagues as avid outdoorsmen and close family members, aimed for deep-sea fishing roughly 100 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Spivey, the founder of the Spivey Law Firm in Fort Myers, was known for his decades of legal work advocating for accident victims, while Billmaier had recently joined the Shiner Law Group in Boca Raton after building a reputation as a dedicated trial attorney. Their trip was meant to be a relaxing pre-holiday outing, but it quickly turned into a nightmare when they failed to return or make contact by evening.

Billmaier’s wife, Deborah, grew concerned and alerted the U.S. Coast Guard around 9 p.m. that night. A massive search operation was launched immediately, involving Coast Guard helicopters, cutters, and fixed-wing aircraft, alongside assistance from local law enforcement, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and even civilian volunteers. By the next day, the boat was located adrift approximately 70 miles west of Fort Myers, its engines still running and fishing gear intact, but with no sign of the men on board. Notably, two life jackets were missing from the vessel, leading rescuers to speculate that the duo may have gone overboard unexpectedly.

The search spanned nearly 7,000 square miles over three grueling days, battling adverse conditions including strong ocean currents, choppy waters, and limited visibility. Family members took to social media with desperate pleas for information, offering rewards and organizing community searches. Deborah Billmaier, in particular, shared emotional posts describing her husband as her “greatest love” and “adventure partner,” urging anyone with leads to come forward. “We are devastated but holding onto hope,” she wrote in one update, as volunteers from across Florida and neighboring states joined the effort.

Despite the exhaustive operation, the Coast Guard made the difficult decision to suspend active search-and-rescue activities on December 22, 2025. Capt. Corrie Sergent, commander of the Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, explained in a statement that the suspension came after careful consideration of survival factors, including water temperature, weather patterns, and the time elapsed. “Our hearts go out to the families during this incredibly difficult time,” Sergent said. “We exhaust every resource available, but the odds of survival diminish significantly after several days in open water.” The family publicly supported the move, noting in a joint statement that “Randy and Brandon would never want anyone else to risk their lives. We know everything possible was done.”

With the Coast Guard stepping back, the investigation shifted to the FBI, which assumed jurisdiction due to the incident occurring in federal waters. Speculation swirled in the days following, with theories ranging from an accidental fall—perhaps due to rough seas or a mechanical issue—to more sinister possibilities like foul play. However, no evidence of criminal activity was found on the boat, which was described as a potential “crime scene” by some online commentators, though authorities dismissed such claims. The absence of a distress signal or emergency beacon activation puzzled experts, as the vessel was equipped with safety devices like an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB).

Passive surveillance continued, with authorities monitoring Gulf currents for any debris that might drift ashore. That vigilance paid off on New Year’s Eve when a group of commercial fishermen reported spotting fabric entangled in floating debris near the Dry Tortugas, a remote island chain about 70 miles west of Key West. The item, a faded and torn dark-colored shirt, was retrieved and sent for forensic analysis. Family members confirmed it matched the clothing Billmaier was wearing on the day of the trip, with distinctive features aligning with photos from their departure. Tests revealed extensive saltwater degradation but no indications of violence or struggle, consistent with prolonged exposure to the elements.

In a joint press release on January 2, 2026, the FBI and Coast Guard announced the discovery, stating it provided “critical evidence in understanding the fate of Mr. Billmaier and Mr. Spivey.” Ocean current models corroborated the shirt’s likely path from the boat’s last known position, supporting the theory of an accidental overboard incident. With this find, officials reclassified the case from search-and-rescue to a recovery operation, effectively closing the active investigation phase. “There is no more reasonable hope for survival,” an agency spokesperson declared, citing environmental hazards such as hypothermia, dehydration, shark activity, and exhaustion as probable factors in their demise. Tragically, no bodies have been recovered—a common outcome in open-ocean disappearances, where remains are often lost to the depths or marine life.

The closure has brought a mix of relief and renewed grief to the families. Deborah Billmaier, who had been holding out for a miracle, reflected in a statement: “Knowing what happened doesn’t ease the ache, but it ends the endless wondering.” Spivey’s relatives, meanwhile, requested privacy as they plan private memorials, emphasizing his legacy as a community pillar who helped thousands through his legal practice. Colleagues at the Shiner Law Group paid tribute to Billmaier, with firm founder David Shiner saying, “Brandon brought passion to every case, just like his uncle Randy. Their loss leaves a void in our firm and in countless lives they touched.”

This incident has reignited discussions about boating safety in the Gulf, where unpredictable weather and vast expanses pose constant risks. Experts point out that while Spivey’s boat was well-equipped, simple oversights—like not activating an EPIRB in time—can prove fatal. Advocacy groups are calling for mandatory use of personal locator beacons and enhanced check-in protocols for offshore trips. One rescuer involved in the initial search summed up the peril: “The ocean gives and takes without warning. This time, it took two good men.”

As the case shifts to recovery efforts, authorities encourage the public to report any additional debris sightings along Florida’s western shores. For now, the discovery of Billmaier’s shirt stands as a poignant symbol of closure in a story that captivated the region, reminding all of the sea’s unforgiving nature. The investigation remains open for potential future recoveries, but for the families and friends of Spivey and Billmaier, the hope that once fueled exhaustive searches has given way to mourning and remembrance.