The search for Randall “Randy” Spivey, 57, and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, 33, has taken a chilling turn as authorities reportedly discovered a bloodstained shirt floating approximately 12 nautical miles off the Florida coast. This eerie find has dimmed optimism in what was already a heartbreaking mystery that began over a week ago.

The two men, both accomplished personal injury attorneys, set out on a deep-sea fishing trip from Fort Myers on December 19, 2025, aboard Spivey’s 42-foot Freeman catamaran named “Unstopp-A-Bull.” They departed early that morning for what was meant to be a routine outing in the Gulf of Mexico, planning to return by evening. When they failed to come back, family members raised the alarm, triggering one of the largest search operations in recent Florida history.

By early Saturday, December 20, the U.S. Coast Guard located the vessel adrift about 70 miles offshore near Naples and Marco Island. Shockingly, the boat was empty—upright and still in gear—but there were no signs of Spivey or Billmaier. Notably, two life jackets were missing, offering a sliver of hope that the men might have donned them and entered the water voluntarily or in distress.

The massive multi-agency effort involved the Coast Guard, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, local fire departments, volunteer pilots, and hundreds of private boaters from across the Southeast. Searches covered thousands of square miles, with aircraft and vessels scouring the vast Gulf waters. Families and communities rallied, sharing coordinates and pleas on social media, while a reward was offered for information leading to their safe return.

Spivey, a prominent Fort Myers lawyer known for his dedication to family and safety-conscious boating habits, was described by loved ones as a devoted husband and father. Billmaier, a newlywed attorney from Boca Raton who idolized his uncle and followed him into the legal profession, was remembered as a vibrant young man full of life and passion for fishing.

Despite the exhaustive efforts, the Coast Guard suspended its active search at sunset on December 22 after covering over 6,700 square miles. The case transitioned to the FBI for further investigation, amid growing concerns over what exactly transpired on that ill-fated trip.

Now, the discovery of the bloodstained shirt has cast a darker shadow over the saga. Found far from the boat’s location but within the search grid, it raises alarming questions about possible injury, foul play, or a tragic accident at sea. Families, already enduring an agonizing holiday season without answers, cling to fading hope as private searches continue and authorities analyze the evidence.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the Gulf’s unforgiving dangers, even for experienced boaters. As the new year approaches, the Southwest Florida community remains united in prayer, awaiting any breakthrough that could bring closure to this devastating disappearance.