The baffling disappearance of Randall Spivey, 57, and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, 33, in the Gulf of Mexico has left investigators and families searching for answers as the U.S. Coast Guard suspended its active search on December 22, 2025. The two experienced boaters—both attorneys with deep ties to Florida—vanished without issuing a distress call or SOS, leaving behind only cryptic clues on their empty vessel.

Spivey, a prominent Fort Myers personal injury lawyer, and Billmaier, a Boca Raton trial attorney who followed in his uncle’s footsteps, set out early on December 19 for what was meant to be a day-long fishing trip aboard Spivey’s 42-foot Freeman catamaran, “Unstopp-A-Bull.” They departed from a private dock in Iona, near Fort Myers, planning to return by sunset. When no contact came and they failed to return, family members alerted authorities that evening.

The Coast Guard launched an immediate response, deploying aircraft and vessels. In the early hours of December 20, a helicopter crew located the boat drifting upright approximately 70 miles offshore, west of Naples near Marco Island. Engines were off, but the vessel showed no signs of damage, capsizing, or foul play. Critically, there were no bodies aboard, no blood, and most safety gear—including the EPIRB emergency beacon—remained in place. Two life jackets were missing, offering a glimmer of hope that the men may have donned them before entering the water.

What has puzzled experts most is the absence of any mayday signal. No radio distress call was transmitted, no SOS via satellite phone or VHF, and no activation of the emergency beacon. The boat’s advanced GPS and Spot tracker data revealed normal operation until the final moments: the vessel maintained course before abruptly stopping. While exact logs haven’t been publicly detailed as “emergency route changes in the last two minutes,” the sudden halt in a remote area—combined with the men’s unexplained absence—has fueled intense speculation.

Search efforts spanned nearly 6,700 square miles—an area the size of Connecticut—with dozens of Coast Guard assets, volunteer boats, and private aircraft scouring the Gulf. Despite the massive operation, no trace of Spivey or Billmaier was found. On December 22, at sunset, the Coast Guard made the heartbreaking decision to suspend active searching, citing exhaustive coverage of probable areas.

“The decision to suspend a search is never easy,” a Coast Guard spokesperson stated. “We extend our deepest condolences to the families.” The case has now transitioned to an FBI missing persons investigation, exploring all possibilities including accident, medical emergency, or other factors.

Families remain devastated but grateful for community support. Billmaier’s wife, Deborah, shared on social media: “Brandon and Randy would never want anyone else to risk their lives.” She noted the men were doing what they loved—fishing in familiar waters. Spivey’s wife, Tricia, echoed the sentiment, praising the “local heroes” who joined the effort.

Spivey, described as a devoted family man and community advocate, leaves behind a legacy of helping injured clients over 30 years. Billmaier, recently married and a rising attorney at Shiner Law Group, was remembered as a “light in this world.”

No evidence points to the dramatic “unexplained voices” or precise two-minute anomalies suggested in some online rumors—those appear to stem from unsubstantiated social media speculation. Officials emphasize the Gulf’s unpredictable nature: sudden weather shifts, currents, or medical issues could explain a rapid overboard incident without time for alerts.

As the FBI continues probing, hope lingers for closure. The sea often guards its secrets fiercely, but this case underscores the risks even seasoned mariners face. Thoughts remain with the Spivey and Billmaier families during this unimaginable time.