“🚨 ‘Something’s out there… Let me check.’

Those chilling last words echoed from the boat before everything went HORRIBLY wrong.

Two successful Florida lawyers – uncle and nephew – vanish on a routine fishing trip. Their $1M+ boat found drifting 70 miles offshore… engine still running, no one on board.

Then the rumors start: Splashing. A blood-curdling scream. A terrifying ripping sound… and dead silence.

What pulled them into the depths? Shark attack? Something bigger? Or something no one wants to admit lurks in the Gulf?

This real-life ocean nightmare is unfolding RIGHT NOW – and the Coast Guard just called off the search.

Full terrifying details below… if you dare read them. 😱🌊👇”

The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its active search for two missing Florida attorneys after their empty fishing boat was discovered adrift in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 70 miles offshore. Randall Spivey, 57, a prominent personal injury lawyer in Fort Myers, and his 33-year-old nephew Brandon Billmaier, an associate at the Shiner Law Group in Boca Raton, vanished during what was supposed to be a routine offshore fishing trip.

The pair departed early on the morning of Friday, December 19, 2025, from a private residence in Fort Myers aboard Spivey’s 42-foot Freeman catamaran named “Unstopp-A-Bull” (also reported in some accounts as “Unstoppable”). They were scheduled to return by sunset that day but never made contact. Family members reported them overdue to the Coast Guard around 9 p.m., prompting an immediate response.

By midnight on December 20, a Coast Guard helicopter located the vessel drifting upright, with its engines still running and in gear. No signs of the men were found on board, though two life jackets were reported missing, leading authorities and family to speculate that Spivey and Billmaier may have been wearing them if they entered the water.

The discovery sparked one of the largest search operations in Southwest Florida history. The Coast Guard, along with partner agencies including air stations from Clearwater, Miami, and Elizabeth City, the Coast Guard Cutter Crocodile, the Florida State Guard, and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, scoured an area covering roughly 6,700 square miles—an expanse comparable to the size of Connecticut. Private volunteers also joined the effort, with dozens of boats and aircraft coordinating through family-organized groups.

Despite the massive response, no trace of the men was found. The search was officially suspended at sunset on Monday, December 22, 2025. A Coast Guard spokesperson described the decision as one of the most difficult in search-and-rescue operations, extending condolences to the families.

Authorities have theorized that one of the men may have fallen overboard, with the other jumping in to assist—unaware that the boat’s engines remained engaged, causing it to drift away faster than they could swim back. Rough seas and the remote location 70 miles west of Fort Myers, near areas like Marco Island and Flamingo, would have made survival challenging.

The case has now drawn federal attention. The FBI has launched an investigation, stating it will assist if evidence suggests a violation of federal law. Sources indicate the probe is in its early stages, exploring all possibilities, including accident, foul play, or other factors.

Randall Spivey is the founder of Spivey Law Firm in Fort Myers, where his wife, Tricia Spivey, also practices as a personal injury attorney. Described by loved ones as a dedicated family man and respected professional, Spivey has built a reputation helping clients in times of need. “He’s an amazing husband, an amazing father,” Tricia told local media during the search.

Brandon Billmaier, Spivey’s nephew, followed in his uncle’s footsteps by pursuing a career in law. Born in Ohio and raised in Michigan, he joined the Shiner Law Group in Boca Raton in 2023 after practicing in other areas. His wife, Deborah Billmaier, has been vocal throughout the ordeal, coordinating volunteer efforts and expressing hope for a “Christmas miracle” even after the official search ended.

In a statement, the Shiner Law Group said: “On behalf of everyone at Shiner Law Group, we are deeply saddened by the disappearance of Brandon and his uncle, Randy. Brandon is a valued member of our firm and someone we care about tremendously, both as a colleague and as our friend. Brandon is an exceptional person and a great lawyer, and we are heartbroken.”

Deborah Billmaier described the close bond between her husband and his uncle, noting that Brandon moved to Florida partly to emulate Spivey. “They were together,” she said in interviews, finding some solace in that fact amid the tragedy.

The disappearance has gripped Southwest Florida communities, with volunteers from across the state and beyond offering support. Social media posts from family members rallied boaters and pilots, turning the search into a community-driven effort before the Coast Guard’s suspension.

As of Christmas Day 2025, the families are left without closure. Deborah Billmaier told reporters the situation felt like a “nightmare” and “horror movie.” Volunteers and private searches may continue informally, but official efforts have shifted to investigation.

The Gulf of Mexico, known for its unpredictable currents and marine life, has seen similar incidents before, where boaters vanish after falling overboard in remote waters. Experts note that without a float plan or activated emergency beacon—the boat’s EPIRB remained on board—chances of recovery diminish rapidly.

The FBI’s involvement adds a layer of scrutiny, though no details on specific leads have been released. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office or the Coast Guard.

This case echoes other high-profile maritime disappearances, leaving questions about safety on the open water and the perils of offshore adventures. For now, two families spend the holidays grappling with profound loss, hoping against odds for answers from the sea.