🚨 “That doesn’t make any sense!” Friends of veteran boater Randall “Randy” Spivey are BAFFLED: He knows the Gulf like the back of his hand—yet he and nephew Brandon Billmaier vanish without a SINGLE distress signal?

Empty boat found drifting 70 miles offshore, engines STILL RUNNING, GPS mysteriously dead since 10 a.m., two life jackets gone… and a haunting “Coming home soon” text that never got a reply.

No blood. No damage. No EPIRB activated. Shark rumors swirling—but insiders whisper this isn’t a simple accident. Could it be a perfectly staged vanishing act leaving fake clues?

Search called off Christmas week. Families devastated. The questions piling up will give you chills… 👇 Full mind-blowing details – this case is about to explode!

As the holiday season brings quiet reflection to Southwest Florida, the unresolved disappearance of local attorney Randall “Randy” Spivey, 57, and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, 33, continues to puzzle investigators, friends, and family alike. The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its massive search operation at sunset on December 22, 2025, after scouring nearly 6,700 square miles of the Gulf of Mexico—an area comparable to the size of Connecticut. The case has since shifted to the FBI for a federal missing persons investigation, with lingering anomalies raising eyebrows among those who knew the experienced boater best.

Spivey, a prominent personal injury lawyer with over three decades in Fort Myers, and Billmaier, a trial attorney at Boca Raton’s Shiner Law Group who idolized his uncle, set out before dawn on December 19 aboard Spivey’s 42-foot Freeman catamaran, “Unstopp-A-Bull.” The plan was a standard day of bottom fishing roughly 100 miles offshore—a pastime Spivey was deeply familiar with, having navigated the Gulf waters extensively.

Friends and colleagues have expressed disbelief at the circumstances. “That doesn’t make any sense,” one associate reportedly said, echoing sentiments that a seasoned mariner like Spivey would vanish without triggering any emergency protocols. The vessel was equipped with an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), yet it remained onboard and inactive when the boat was located.

The timeline adds to the intrigue. Around 10:00 a.m. on December 19, the boat’s GPS tracker reportedly stopped transmitting updates. However, when discovered early Saturday, December 20, approximately 70 miles west of Naples near Marco Island, the engines were still running and in gear, with the craft drifting upright and undamaged. No signs of struggle or blood were apparent, though two life jackets were missing—offering a glimmer of hope that the men may have donned them.

Later that evening, as worry escalated, Brandon Billmaier’s wife, Deborah, received a notification on his phone indicating an unread message: “Coming home soon…” No further communication followed, and the message’s exact origin and timing remain under scrutiny.

Authorities launched one of the region’s largest searches in recent years. Coast Guard assets, including aircraft, helicopters, and boats, coordinated with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and dozens of volunteer vessels. Conditions were favorable: winds around 10 mph and seas of 3 feet.

Unconfirmed reports from a local fisherman described spotting a large shark in the area days prior and possibly witnessing a struggle, prompting speculation of marine involvement. However, no physical evidence on the boat supports this, and experts note such incidents are rare for offshore anglers.

By December 22, with no sightings or debris recovered, the Coast Guard made the “difficult decision” to suspend active operations. Capt. Michael Sergent extended condolences, praising the effort’s thoroughness. Family statements expressed gratitude while accepting the halt, noting in a private briefing that exhaustive coverage left little chance the men remained afloat on the surface.

Deborah Billmaier shared updates on social media, describing the heartbreak but emphasizing the men’s passion for fishing. “Brandon and Randy would never want anyone else to put their life in danger,” she posted. Tricia Spivey, Randy’s wife, highlighted his dedication to family and clients.

Billmaier, a newlywed who joined the legal field inspired by his uncle—with aspirations to eventually partner at Spivey’s firm—was remembered fondly by colleagues. The Shiner Law Group issued a statement conveying deep sadness and prayers for both men.

No foul play has been officially suggested, and authorities continue to treat the incident as a maritime accident—possibly an overboard fall during fishing, compounded by currents or a medical issue. The absence of a distress call, unused safety equipment, and pristine boat condition have fueled quiet questions among observers about whether all possibilities are being explored.

The FBI’s involvement ensures continued examination of digital records, financials, and other leads, though spokespersons stress readiness to pursue any federal angles without current indications of criminality.

Community response was swift and substantial, with GoFundMe campaigns and widespread sharing of search grids. Boating advocates reiterate the importance of float plans, personal locator beacons, and vigilance.

As of December 27, 2025, Spivey and Billmaier remain missing, their fates entwined with the Gulf’s vast expanse. The case underscores the sea’s inherent risks, even for veterans, while leaving families in limbo awaiting closure.

Tips can be submitted to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 239-477-1000 or the FBI.