In a stunning development, authorities have uncovered new traces in the baffling case of missing boaters Randall “Randy” Spivey, 57, and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, 33, who vanished during a deep-sea fishing trip off the Florida Gulf Coast. Police are currently verifying these findings with the victims’ families, with a full public update promised within the next three hours.

The ordeal began on December 19, 2025, when Spivey, a prominent personal injury attorney from Fort Myers, and Billmaier, a trial lawyer from Boca Raton who followed in his uncle’s footsteps, set out early from Spivey’s home in Iona aboard a 42-foot Freeman catamaran named “Unstopp-A-Bull.” The pair, both experienced on the water, planned a routine bottom-fishing excursion about 70-100 miles offshore but failed to return as expected that evening.

Family members raised the alarm around 9 p.m., prompting an immediate response from the U.S. Coast Guard and Lee County Sheriff’s Office. The next day, searchers located the vessel adrift approximately 70 miles west of Naples – upright, engine running, but eerily empty. Notably, two life jackets were missing, sparking initial hope that the men might have donned them and been afloat in the Gulf of Mexico.

What followed was one of the largest search operations in Southwest Florida history. Over four days, Coast Guard helicopters, cutters, and aircraft, alongside dozens of volunteer boats and private planes, scoured more than 6,700 square miles – an area roughly the size of Connecticut. Hundreds of community members rallied, coordinating through social media and sharing search grids.

Spivey was described by loved ones as a devoted family man and passionate fisherman with over 30 years practicing law in the region. Billmaier, recently married, had moved to Florida to emulate his uncle, joining the Shiner Law Group as a trial attorney. Their close bond – with Billmaier viewing Spivey as a second father – made the trip a cherished uncle-nephew outing.

Despite exhaustive efforts, no sign of the men was found. On December 22, the Coast Guard made the heartbreaking decision to suspend active search and rescue operations at sunset, citing the vast area covered and risks to responders. The case transitioned to the FBI as a federal missing persons investigation, exploring all possibilities in this puzzling vanishing.

Families expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support while respecting the suspension, noting the men would never want others endangered. Yet hope lingered quietly amid the grief.

Now, just days later on December 29, this latest breakthrough – described as “new traces” – has reignited intrigue. Authorities are cross-referencing with relatives to confirm details, refusing to speculate prematurely. Could this be debris, personal items, or something more conclusive? The Gulf’s currents and vastness have fueled theories, but officials urge patience.

As the clock ticks toward the impending announcement, the nation watches. Whatever emerges could finally bring closure to a mystery that has gripped Florida and beyond – or deepen the enigma surrounding two respected lawyers lost to the sea.