RT MYERS, Fla. —
The families of Brandon Billmaier and his uncle, Randy Spivey Sr., are preparing to spend Christmas without them after the two boaters went missing off Florida’s Gulf Coast, 70 miles from Fort Myers Beach.
Deborah Billmaier, Brandon's wife, expressed her confidence that the U.S. Coast Guard did everything possible to find her husband and his uncle. She also shared more about their story and relationship.
“Our love story, it's pretty incredible we met in 2020,” Deborah said, reflecting on her relationship with Brandon, which began five years ago. “From the moment I first met him, the way he speaks, carries himself, talks about others, cares about others, it's just something indescribable.”
At just 31 years old, Deborah is now a widow, recalling the last dinner she shared with Brandon on a slow Thursday evening. “You know, sometimes just those simple moments are the best,” she said.
Tragedy offshore
Brandon and Randy set out for offshore fishing later that night. The Coast Guard believes one of the men fell overboard, and the other jumped in to help, not realizing the boat's engine was still running.
“So they jumped in the water, and the boat was still going, kept moving away from them,” Deborah explained.
“There was no way the two men could catch up to the moving 42-foot boat,” she added.
MORE: The Coast Guard shared its search patterns for Brandon and Spivey Sr., which can be viewed here.
More than two dozen boats were deployed in the search, and the Coast Guard located the missing boat. The boat, a green 42-foot Freeman catamaran named “Unstoppable,” was found by the Coast Guard approximately 70 miles offshore on Saturday, around 12 a.m.
Devoted to family and law
Deborah described Randy as “the most special person,” filled with integrity and love for his family. The two families were inseparable, often traveling and fishing together, bonded by their shared love of the law. Brandon had become an attorney to follow in his uncle's footsteps, hoping to eventually join Spivey's firm.
David I. Shiner of the Shiner Law Group in Boca Raton confirmed Monday afternoon that Brandon was a trial attorney at his law firm.
Deborah finds solace in knowing her husband spent his last hours doing what he loved. “He loved fishing,” she said. “He lived for it, he lived for his family, for me.”
Video Below: Search suspended for Brandon Billmaier and Randy Spivey Sr.
No Evidence Supports Claims of Argument, Foul Play, or DNA Evidence in Spivey-Billmaier Disappearance
As Christmas Day 2025 unfolds, the families of missing Florida attorneys Randall “Randy” Spivey, 57, and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, 33, continue to grapple with profound uncertainty and grief. The two men vanished during a deep-sea fishing excursion on December 19, and despite exhaustive searches and an ongoing FBI investigation, no new developments have emerged to suggest anything beyond a tragic accident at sea. Recent online rumors alleging a heated argument, suspicions of a “planned” disappearance, or forensic DNA evidence pointing to foul play appear to be entirely unfounded, based on a comprehensive review of available news reports and official statements.
The incident began innocently enough: Spivey, a respected personal injury attorney and founder of the Spivey Law Firm in Fort Myers, invited his nephew Billmaier—a trial attorney at the Shiner Law Group in Boca Raton—for a bonding trip aboard the 42-foot Freeman catamaran “Unstopp-A-Bull.” Both men were experienced boaters and avid fishermen, with Spivey known for his meticulous approach to safety after decades on the water. They departed early from Spivey's waterfront home in Iona, planning to fish about 70-100 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico and return by evening.
When no contact was made by nightfall, alarm bells rang. Around 9 p.m. on December 19, families notified authorities. Early the next morning, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter located the vessel adrift approximately 70 miles west of Fort Myers, near Marco Island. The boat was upright, engines running and in gear, with no visible damage—but completely empty. Notably, two life jackets were missing, fueling hope that the men had entered the water equipped. The Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) remained aboard and unregistered, explaining the lack of an automatic distress signal.
This discovery ignited one of the largest search operations in recent Southwest Florida history. Over three days, Coast Guard assets—including helicopters from Clearwater and Miami, cutters, and aircraft—joined forces with the Lee County Sheriff's Office, Florida State Guard, and hundreds of civilian volunteers. Private boaters and pilots coordinated via social media, covering over 6,700 square nautical miles—an area roughly the size of Connecticut. Weather conditions were generally calm, with no reports of severe storms that day.
Tricia Spivey, Randall's wife, and Deborah Billmaier, Brandon's wife (recently married in 2024), became the public faces of the family's anguish. In interviews, Tricia described her husband as “safety-conscious” with over 30 years of fishing experience, pleading desperately: “We've gotta find them. Please, please find them.” Deborah shared a final loving text from Brandon that morning and called the situation “a nightmare, like a horror movie.” She expressed gratitude for community support and solace in knowing Brandon spent his last known hours doing what he loved—fishing with family.
On December 22, at sunset, the Coast Guard suspended active search and rescue efforts—a decision met with understanding from the families. In a joint statement, they noted: “If Randy and Brandon were on the surface of the water, they would have been found.” Emphasizing the men's commitment to safety, the family added that both would want rescuers' lives protected. Captain Jason Sergent extended condolences, praising the massive collaborative effort.
The case then transitioned to the FBI, which assumed leadership of the missing persons investigation. This is standard for unexplained offshore incidents, allowing access to advanced forensic tools and techniques. Sheriff Carmine Marceno highlighted the FBI's resources in determining what occurred. However, no official sources have indicated foul play. Speculation often points to a classic man-overboard scenario: one individual falls while fishing (common in bottom-fishing activities), and the other attempts a rescue, resulting in both entering the treacherous Gulf currents.
Claims circulating on social media or unverified channels—such as a “last argument” revealed by Tricia Spivey, suspicions of intentional disappearance, or DNA evidence on the boat implicating a planned event—do not appear in any reputable news outlet or family statement as of December 25. Interviews with Tricia and Deborah focus solely on hope, gratitude, and heartbreak, with no mentions of discord or forensic revelations. The boat was towed to Fort Myers Beach for examination, but details remain confidential under FBI oversight.
This tragedy resonates deeply in Southwest Florida, where Spivey was a community pillar, advocating for injury victims, and Billmaier was seen as a rising star following his uncle's path. Friends like Paul Rocuant, who knew Spivey since 1995, described him as “like a brother.” The Shiner Law Group issued a statement expressing sadness and calling for prayers.
On Christmas Eve, Deborah Billmaier spoke of holding onto a “miracle” while finding comfort in Brandon's passions. The families prepare for a somber holiday, united in grief yet appreciative of the outpouring of support.
The Gulf of Mexico's dangers are well-known, even to experts: sudden shifts, strong currents, or simple mishaps can turn routine trips deadly. This case serves as a stark reminder of maritime risks, underscoring the importance of registered EPIRBs, personal locator beacons, and vigilant safety protocols.
The FBI continues its probe. Authorities urge anyone with credible information to contact them directly, cautioning against spreading unverified rumors that could hinder the investigation or add pain to the families.
As 2025 draws to a close, the Southwest Florida community mourns two dedicated professionals and family men, hoping for answers and closure in a mystery that, for now, points tragically to the sea's unforgiving nature.