In a heartbreaking development, Deborah Billmaier, wife of missing fisherman Brandon Billmaier, has revealed startling new details about the disappearance of her husband and his uncle, Randall “Randy” Spivey. Speaking out amid ongoing investigations, Deborah insisted that preserved text messages point to foul play, declaring, “The text messages are still there. This was definitely a kidnapping.”

The two men, both experienced attorneys with deep ties to Florida’s legal community, vanished during a routine offshore fishing trip on December 19, 2025. Brandon, 33, a trial lawyer at the Shiner Law Group in Boca Raton, and Randy, 57, a prominent personal injury attorney and founder of his own firm in Fort Myers, set out early that morning from Fort Myers aboard a 42-foot Freeman catamaran named “Unstopp-A-Bull.” They were expected back by evening but never returned.

Family members raised the alarm that night, prompting a massive search by the U.S. Coast Guard, involving aircraft, boats, and volunteers covering thousands of square miles in the Gulf of Mexico. The vessel was located drifting empty about 70 miles offshore, engine still running, with no signs of the men aboard. Two life jackets were missing, initially offering a glimmer of hope that they might have donned them for safety.

Investigators initially theorized a tragic accident: one man may have fallen overboard while fishing, and the other jumped in to rescue him, unaware the boat’s engine remained engaged, causing it to drift away unreachable. This scenario aligned with the men’s known passion for deep-sea fishing and their safety-conscious natures—Randy had decades of experience on the water, and Brandon often joined family trips.

However, the case took a darker turn when the Coast Guard suspended active search efforts at sunset on December 22, 2025, after exhaustive operations yielded no results. The FBI has since assumed lead on the missing persons investigation, exploring all possibilities as the families grapple with uncertainty.

Deborah’s recent statements have fueled speculation of criminal involvement. She emphasized the existence of unexplained text messages, suggesting the disappearance was not accidental but a deliberate abduction. While details of these messages remain private, her conviction has intensified public intrigue and calls for deeper scrutiny.

Both men were described by loved ones as devoted family men and pillars of their professions. Brandon, newly married and following in his uncle’s footsteps as a lawyer helping injured clients, was remembered for his vibrant energy and love of the outdoors. Randy, a father and mentor, was praised for his integrity and community contributions.

As weeks pass without answers, the families hold onto hope while respecting the suspension of surface searches. Volunteers and private efforts continue in some capacity, but the shift to FBI oversight signals a potential pivot toward investigating suspicious circumstances.

This case highlights the perils of offshore adventures in the vast Gulf waters, where even seasoned boaters can face unforeseen dangers—or, as Deborah alleges, something far more sinister. The mystery endures, leaving a community in mourning and searching for closure.