In a stunning development that has reignited hope for two missing Florida families, authorities have reportedly identified the location of Randall Spivey, 57, and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, 33, who vanished during a fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico over a month ago. Law enforcement sources indicate that after persistent efforts, investigators have successfully connected to a phone signal linked to the men, marking the first major lead since the U.S. Coast Guard suspended its massive search and rescue operation in late December 2025.

The duo, both experienced attorneys—Spivey a prominent Fort Myers injury lawyer and Billmaier an associate at a Boca Raton firm—set out before dawn on December 19, 2025, aboard a 42-foot Freeman catamaran named “Unstopp-A-Bull.” They planned a routine offshore fishing excursion about 100 miles from Fort Myers but failed to return that evening. Alarmed family members alerted the Coast Guard around 9 p.m., triggering an intensive air and sea search covering roughly 6,700 square miles—an area comparable to the size of Connecticut.

The next day, rescuers located the boat drifting upright and still in gear approximately 70 miles west of Naples near Marco Island. Engines running and vessel intact, yet no sign of the men. Notably absent were two life jackets that had been on board, fueling speculation about what forced them into the water. The Coast Guard, along with partner agencies, scoured the Gulf relentlessly for four days before suspending efforts at sunset on December 22, citing no new leads and shifting focus to a missing persons investigation.

The case quickly drew federal attention, with the FBI stepping in to assist local authorities, including the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Coast Guard Investigative Services. Theories have ranged from a sudden boating mishap—perhaps a rogue wave or equipment failure—to more unusual circumstances, given the boat’s odd path and the men’s expertise on the water. Family members, including Spivey’s wife Tricia and Billmaier’s wife Deborah, have remained vocal on social media, pleading for tips and sharing updates to keep public awareness alive.

Now, this latest breakthrough involving phone signal detection and location pinpointing has sparked cautious optimism. While details remain limited—authorities have not yet confirmed recovery or the men’s condition—the ability to reconnect with a device signal after weeks of silence suggests possible survival or at least a traceable path forward. Investigators are believed to be analyzing cell tower data, GPS pings, and any associated metadata to narrow down coordinates in the vast Gulf waters.

Friends and colleagues describe both men as avid, safety-conscious boaters who frequently ventured offshore. The community in Fort Myers and Boca Raton has rallied with vigils, fundraisers, and boating patrols to aid the search. As the investigation intensifies, this potential lifeline could shift the narrative from tragedy to rescue.

For now, families cling to hope amid the uncertainty. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office or federal tip lines. The Gulf’s unpredictable nature has claimed lives before, but this signal connection stands as a rare glimmer in what has been a heartbreaking ordeal.