It began in mid-December 2025 when prominent Fort Myers lawyer Randall “Randy” Spivey, 57, and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, 33, an attorney from Boca Raton, set out for what should have been a routine deep-sea fishing trip aboard their 42-foot Freeman boat, “Unstopp-A-Bull.” The duo departed from Fort Myers early on December 19, expecting to return by sunset. When they failed to check in, family members alerted authorities around 9 p.m. that night.

By midnight, the U.S. Coast Guard located the vessel drifting about 70 miles west of Naples, engine still running and in gear. Shockingly, the boat was empty—no sign of the men, though two life jackets were missing. Theories quickly emerged: one man may have fallen overboard, prompting the other to jump in to rescue him, unaware the boat would continue circling without them. Extensive searches covering over 6,700 square miles—an area roughly the size of Connecticut—involved air and sea crews, but yielded no trace. After days of relentless effort, the Coast Guard suspended operations at sunset on December 22, pending new leads. The FBI has since joined the investigation, adding layers of intrigue to what many fear may never be fully explained.

Now, just weeks later, the maritime nightmare has escalated. Police and rescue teams have received reports of yet another capsizing incident, this time involving well-known fishing captain Gus Sanfilippo and one of his crew members. Sanfilippo, a television personality who appeared on shows highlighting the dangers of commercial fishing, was commanding a 72-foot vessel when it sank off the Massachusetts coast amid brutal winter storms and freezing conditions in late January 2026.

A distress beacon from the boat triggered an immediate response from the Coast Guard. Rescue efforts recovered debris, an empty life raft, and tragically, one body in the water. Sanfilippo and the remaining crew—including a NOAA fishery observer—were never found. Officials presumed all aboard lost after suspending the search, citing treacherous seas and no further signs of survival. The captain’s final communications painted a grim picture of battling extreme cold and waves that overwhelmed the vessel in minutes.

These back-to-back incidents have sent shockwaves through coastal communities, from Florida’s Gulf to New England’s shores. Families remain heartbroken, clinging to faint hope while grappling with the harsh reality of the sea’s unforgiving power. Authorities continue monitoring for any breakthroughs, but the latest statement from police has left many fearing the worst: these men may have joined the long list of those claimed by the ocean forever.

The dual tragedies underscore the perils of even experienced mariners facing unpredictable elements. As investigations persist, the questions linger— what really happened in those final moments, and will the full truth ever surface?