In a stunning breakthrough that has deepened the mystery surrounding the disappearance of two prominent attorneys, Randall Spivey, 57, and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, 33, federal investigators have revealed startling evidence suggesting their luxury fishing boat traveled unmanned for a significant period before finally coming to a halt after exhausting its fuel supply. Sources close to the FBI probe, which took over the case after the U.S. Coast Guard suspended its massive search-and-rescue operation on December 22, 2025, described the boat’s final trajectory as unnatural: “That’s not a position a person would steer it to,” one investigator reportedly told family members during a briefing, implying the 42-foot Freeman vessel, named “Unstopp-A-Bull,” drifted or ran on autopilot-like conditions without human control after the men vanished.

The tragic saga began on Friday, December 19, 2025, when Spivey, a respected Fort Myers personal injury lawyer and founder of Spivey Law Firm, and Billmaier, a rising star attorney at Boca Raton’s Shiner Law Group, set out before dawn for what was meant to be a routine deep-sea fishing excursion about 100 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Experienced boaters with decades of combined time on the water, the uncle-nephew duo were expected back by sunset. When no word came by evening, anxious wives Tricia Spivey and Deborah Billmaier alerted authorities around 9 p.m., triggering an immediate response from the Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg.

What followed was one of the largest search operations in recent Gulf history, spanning over 6,700 square miles—an area roughly the size of Connecticut—with helicopters, cutters, aircraft, and volunteer vessels scouring the waters under moderate conditions of 10 mph winds and 3-foot seas. Yet, hope dimmed dramatically in the early hours of Saturday, December 20, when a Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater helicopter crew spotted the “Unstopp-A-Bull” adrift approximately 70 miles west of Fort Myers. The vessel was upright, its engines still running and in gear, but eerily empty—no sign of Spivey or Billmaier aboard.

A rescue swimmer was deployed to board the boat, shut down the engines for safety, and anchor it until it could be towed back to Station Fort Myers Beach later that day. Initial inspections revealed no obvious signs of distress: the boat was intact, with fishing gear in place and personal items undisturbed. However, the throttle position and fuel levels told a different story. Investigators noted that the engines had been engaged long enough to consume substantial fuel, allowing the boat to continue on a straight or slightly veering path far from where the men were last believed to be fishing. By the time it was found, the tanks were nearly depleted, suggesting it had been running unmanned for hours, propelling itself aimlessly until momentum and fuel ran out.

This revelation has fueled intense speculation about what befell the two men. Theories range from a sudden medical emergency causing one or both to fall overboard, to a rogue wave or mechanical issue leading to an accidental plunge into the sea. The absence of distress signals—no EPIRB activation or radio calls—adds to the enigma. GPS data from the boat’s tracker showed it deviating from its planned return course, veering into open waters in a manner inconsistent with deliberate navigation. “The boat didn’t stop where a captain would choose,” sources explained. “It kept going as if no one was at the helm, burning fuel until it couldn’t anymore.”

The FBI’s involvement escalated the case from a search-and-rescue to a full missing persons investigation, with agents examining the vessel for forensic evidence, reviewing satellite data, and interviewing family and colleagues. While no foul play is currently suspected, the bureau is leaving no stone unturned, exploring everything from environmental factors to potential health issues. Spivey, described by his wife Tricia as an “amazing man” dedicated to helping injury victims for over 30 years, was known for his cautious approach to boating. Billmaier, a Michigan native who joined Shiner Law Group in 2023, was praised as an “exceptional person and great lawyer” in a firm statement expressing profound heartbreak.

Families have been devastated yet resolute. In a joint statement after the Coast Guard suspension, they expressed gratitude for the exhaustive efforts: “Given the enormous resources focused on the most logical areas, there is the highest confidence that if Randy and Brandon were on the surface, they would have been found.” They emphasized the men’s character: “Few people were more concerned about the safety of innocent people than Randy and Brandon.” Deborah Billmaier offered a reward for information leading to their recovery, while volunteers from across the Southeast rallied with private planes and boats, some covering fuel costs themselves.

Tributes have poured in from the legal community. Colleagues remember Spivey as a mentor and beacon of kindness, with one calling him a “dear friend” who touched countless lives. Billmaier, an avid traveler and pickleball enthusiast, was hailed for his humility and positive attitude. The Shiner Law Group mourned: “We are heartbroken over the disappearance of Brandon and his uncle Randy.”

As Christmas approached amid unresolved grief, the case highlights the Gulf’s unforgiving nature—even for seasoned mariners on state-of-the-art vessels. Boating experts note that falls overboard often occur suddenly, with survival chances dwindling rapidly in open waters without life jackets or beacons. The missing life jackets from the boat offered initial hope that the men donned them, but days of searching yielded nothing.

The FBI continues to urge anyone with information to come forward, contacting the Coast Guard command center or federal tip lines. Forensic analysis of the boat’s electronics, fuel consumption patterns, and any trace evidence may provide more clues in the coming weeks. For now, the haunting image persists: a powerful boat churning through the waves alone, its occupants vanished into the vast sea, leaving behind a trail that ended not by choice, but by exhaustion.

This mystery serves as a somber reminder of the ocean’s perils, turning a passion for fishing into an enduring enigma. Families cling to hope for closure, while investigators piece together the final hours of two lives dedicated to justice on land—now lost at sea.