The urgent search for two missing boaters off the coast of Florida has taken a dramatic turn, with reports of a sudden phone connection providing a potential sign of life. Randall Spivey, a 57-year-old prominent attorney from Fort Myers, and his 33-year-old nephew Brandon Billmaier disappeared during a deep-sea fishing trip on December 19, 2025. As rescue efforts enter their third day, families and authorities cling to renewed optimism amid the vast Gulf of Mexico.

The pair set out early that Friday morning from a residential dock in Fort Myers aboard a 42-foot Freeman catamaran, planning to fish approximately 100 miles offshore. They were expected to return by late afternoon, but when no contact was made, alarms were raised. Brandon’s wife, Deborah Billmaier, received a loving morning text from her husband promising he’d be home that night – the last communication before silence fell.

By evening, families contacted the U.S. Coast Guard, triggering a massive multi-agency response. Overnight, a helicopter located their vessel, named “Unstopp-A-Bull,” adrift and unmanned about 70 miles offshore near Naples. The boat was found upright and running, with no immediate signs of distress or the men onboard. This discovery heightened fears, but the community rallied in one of the largest volunteer searches in Southwest Florida history.

Hundreds of civilians joined professional teams, deploying private planes, boats, and resources despite the holiday season. Friends described Spivey as an experienced boater who has fished safely for over 30 years, often prioritizing precautions like life vests. Authorities believe the men may have been wearing auto-inflating life jackets, offering a glimmer of survival possibility in the open waters.

The breakthrough came when Brandon Billmaier’s wife unexpectedly connected to her husband’s phone after days of no signal. This fleeting link – detected amid the ongoing search – has fueled speculation that one or both men could still be alive, perhaps adrift or on a remote debris field. Rescue coordinators emphasized that operations remain in “search and find” mode, not recovery, with fresh crews rotating in around the clock.

Randall Spivey, founder of a local law firm, is remembered by loved ones as a devoted family man and community pillar. His wife, Tricia, has publicly pleaded for their safe return, calling them “amazing people.” Close friends, including longtime pal Paul Rocuant, have coordinated volunteer efforts, highlighting the outpouring of support from boaters and pilots across the region.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Coast Guard continue to lead the effort, scanning vast areas with aircraft and vessels. Weather conditions in the Gulf can be unpredictable, but hopes persist that currents or survival gear have kept the men afloat. A reward has been offered for information leading to their location, and tips are encouraged through official channels.

As the search presses on into December 22, this mysterious phone signal has reignited determination. Families remain heartbroken yet hopeful, praying for a miracle in the unforgiving sea. The outcome remains uncertain, but the sudden connection serves as a powerful reminder that signs of life can emerge when least expected.