The disappearance of Florida attorneys Randall “Randy” Spivey, 57, and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, 33, has gripped the nation with chilling new developments. Just days after their empty fishing boat was discovered drifting in the Gulf of Mexico, reports of a mysterious underwater signal—detected only 12 miles from the vessel’s location—have sparked frantic speculation and renewed urgency. Divers are now descending into the depths, racing against time in what many fear could be a grim recovery mission.

The ordeal began on December 19, 2025, when the experienced boaters set out from Fort Myers for a routine deep-sea fishing trip aboard Spivey’s 42-foot Freeman catamaran, named “Unstopp-A-Bull.” The pair, both personal injury lawyers with a shared passion for the ocean, were expected back by sunset but never returned. Family members raised the alarm that evening, triggering an immediate response from the U.S. Coast Guard.

By midnight on December 20, a Coast Guard helicopter spotted the vessel adrift approximately 70 miles offshore, near Naples and Marco Island. Shockingly, the boat was still in gear, engines running at low speed, with fishing rods in place but no lines in the water. Two life jackets were missing, offering a sliver of hope that the men might have donned them before entering the water. However, no distress signals were sent, and the emergency beacon remained onboard—puzzling details that have fueled theories of a sudden, catastrophic event.

A massive search ensued, covering thousands of square miles with aircraft, boats, and volunteers from across the Southeast. Despite the efforts, the Coast Guard suspended active operations on December 22, citing safety risks and diminishing prospects. The case then shifted to the FBI, which has taken over the investigation amid unanswered questions about what befell the seasoned fishermen.

Now, in a twist that has reignited public intrigue, an unexplained acoustic signal from the ocean floor has been picked up close to where the boat was found. Sources familiar with maritime searches describe it as anomalous—potentially pings from submerged equipment or something more sinister. With the search officially paused but private efforts persisting, specialized dive teams have mobilized. Equipped with sonar and remotely operated vehicles, they are probing the murky depths, hoping to uncover clues or, heartbreakingly, closure for the families.

Spivey, a prominent Fort Myers lawyer and devoted family man, was described by loved ones as the safest boater imaginable. Billmaier, who followed his uncle into the legal profession and recently married, was seen as a rising star at a Boca Raton firm. Their close bond, forged through years of fishing adventures, makes the tragedy even more poignant.

As divers explore the signal’s origin, questions linger: Was it a mechanical failure? A medical emergency? Or something unforeseen in the vast Gulf waters? Families cling to fading hope, while the nation watches breathlessly for answers from the abyss.