In a sorrowful turn that has gripped Southwest Florida, authorities have delivered the news no one wanted to hear. The U.S. Coast Guard, after days of relentless searching, officially suspended its active efforts to find Randall “Randy” Spivey, 57, and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, 33. The two experienced boaters and attorneys set out from Fort Myers on December 19, 2025, for what was meant to be a routine day of fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, roughly 70-100 miles offshore. They never returned.

Spivey, a respected Fort Myers attorney, and Billmaier, a trial lawyer with a Boca Raton firm and Spivey’s close family member, departed early that Friday morning aboard a 42-foot Freeman vessel. Familiar with the waters and equipped for the trip, they were expected home by sunset. When evening passed without contact, family members— including Billmaier’s wife—raised the alarm around 9 p.m., triggering an immediate response from the Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg.

Rescue teams mobilized swiftly. Helicopters, boats, and partner agencies scoured vast expanses of open water. By early Saturday, a Coast Guard aircrew located the boat adrift, engines still running, about 70 miles west of Fort Myers. A rescue swimmer boarded, shut down the vessel, and anchored it for safety before it was towed back to shore for examination. Despite the discovery, no sign of the men emerged—no life jackets in the water, no distress signals, nothing to explain their absence.

The search intensified over the following days, covering an area equivalent to the size of Connecticut—approximately 6,700 square miles. Aircraft flew grids, surface vessels combed waves, and volunteers joined in hope. Yet, as conditions and resources were weighed, the Coast Guard made the agonizing call to halt operations at sunset on December 22. Officials expressed deep regret, offering condolences to the devastated families and emphasizing that searches can resume with credible new information.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office continues its investigation, with federal partners stepping in to examine all possibilities. The men’s professional lives—both dedicated to law and community—have amplified the community’s grief. Colleagues remember Billmaier as a valued team member and Spivey as a seasoned advocate. Friends and loved ones have shared memories online, pleading for prayers and clinging to slim hope amid the uncertainty.

The Gulf of Mexico is vast and unforgiving, where sudden weather shifts, mechanical failures, or accidents can turn deadly in moments. Without evidence of foul play or mechanical issues publicly confirmed, speculation swirls, but families focus on remembrance rather than theories. The suspension marks a painful milestone: holidays approached without answers, and two lives remain unaccounted for.

This case underscores the risks even seasoned individuals face at sea and the profound impact on those left behind. As investigations proceed, the families endure unimaginable sorrow, holding onto memories while awaiting any resolution. The void left by Randy and Brandon echoes far beyond the waves they loved.