The baffling disappearance of two prominent Florida personal injury attorneys, Randall Spivey, 57, from Fort Myers, and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, 33, from Boca Raton, has taken a sinister turn. What began as a routine fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico in mid-December 2025 has evolved into an ongoing FBI investigation, fueled by a disturbing discovery on their recovered vessel.

The pair set out on December 19, 2025, for a day of bottom fishing off the southwest Florida coast. When they failed to return, a massive search was launched involving the U.S. Coast Guard, multiple agencies, and volunteers. Their 24-foot boat was located empty on December 20, approximately 70 miles offshore near Marco Island, with the engine still running and in gear. Notably, two life jackets were missing, suggesting the men may have entered the water intentionally or unexpectedly. Despite exhaustive air and sea searches covering thousands of square miles, no trace of Spivey or Billmaier was found, leading the Coast Guard to suspend active operations on December 23 after days of effort.

As the case transitioned to the FBI by late December, new details emerged that have ignited speculation about foul play. After several days in custody following recovery, the boat’s outboard engine – specifically the fuel supply system – was found to have a significant crack. Experts noted the damage appeared to result from a deliberate light impact, not consistent with normal wear, accidental collision at sea, or environmental factors. This anomaly raises questions: Could the engine failure have contributed to a catastrophic event, or was it tampered with beforehand?

The victims’ family has vehemently denied any involvement in the damage, issuing statements emphasizing their devastation and insistence that neither Spivey nor Billmaier would have caused or ignored such an issue. “They were experienced boaters who took safety seriously,” a family representative reportedly stressed, pointing out that the men were avid fishermen with no known mechanical neglect.

Both men were successful lawyers in the competitive field of personal injury law, representing clients in high-stakes cases against insurance companies and corporations. Spivey ran his own firm in Fort Myers, while Billmaier worked at the Shiner Law Group. Their professional backgrounds have led to online theories linking the disappearance to potential enemies or disgruntled parties from past litigation, though authorities have not confirmed any such motives.

The Gulf of Mexico can be treacherous, with sudden weather changes, strong currents, and marine hazards posing risks to even seasoned boaters. Hypothetical scenarios include engine malfunction stranding them, forcing an evacuation into the water, or an unrelated medical emergency. However, the cracked fuel component – discovered only after the boat was towed and inspected – adds a layer of intrigue that defies simple accident explanations.

As of early January 2026, the FBI continues to probe the case, examining the boat for forensic evidence and reviewing the men’s communications and activities leading up to the trip. Families remain heartbroken yet hopeful, offering rewards and pleading for information. This vanishing at sea, marked by an empty drifting boat and now suspicious mechanical damage, echoes rare but chilling maritime mysteries where truth may forever elude investigators.

The ocean guards its secrets well, but the cracked engine has ensured this story won’t fade quietly.