Two men — 57‑year‑old Randall Spivey and 33‑year‑old Brandon Billmaier — vanished after leaving Fort Myers on a 42‑foot Freeman fishing boat on Dec. 19. Their empty boat was found about 70 miles offshore early Dec. 20, but neither man was on board. The U.S. Coast Guard and Lee County Sheriff’s Office are conducting search-and-rescue operations across a roughly 35‑mile radius. Family members said they are "heartbroken" and a reward has been offered; authorities ask anyone with information to contact LCSO or SWFL Crime Stoppers.
Uncle and Nephew Missing After Fort Myers Fishing Trip; Empty Boat Found 70 Miles Offshore — Search Ongoing
Lee County Sheriff's Office/FacebookRandall Spivey, Brandon Billmaier
Florida authorities and family members are searching for two men who disappeared after departing on a fishing trip off Fort Myers on Friday, Dec. 19.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) announced on Saturday, Dec. 20, that it launched an urgent search after 57-year-old Randall Spivey and 33-year-old Brandon Billmaier were reported as “endangered adults.” The pair had left early that morning on a 42‑foot Freeman boat from a residence on the 15000 block of Intracoastal Court in Fort Myers.
FacebookSpivey and Billmaier
Spivey is described as a white male, 57, with brown hair and brown eyes, approximately 6 ft. 1 in. and 245 pounds. He was last seen wearing khaki pants and a dark-colored shirt. Billmaier, 33, is described as a white male with strawberry hair and brown eyes, approximately 6 ft. 2 in. and 250 pounds.
“I am heartbroken posting this. My husband, Brandon, went out fishing yesterday with his uncle off the coast of Fort Myers,” Billmaier’s wife, Deborah, wrote on Instagram. She said they were expected back that afternoon and that when the family had not heard from them by 7:30 p.m. they contacted the U.S. Coast Guard. At about 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 20, she said the boat was located roughly 70 miles offshore but no one was aboard.
Search and Rescue Efforts
The U.S. Coast Guard St. Petersburg unit confirmed expanded search-and-rescue operations in the area where the men were believed to be. The Coast Guard said crews are searching from surface vessels and aircraft operating up to 5,000 feet over an area of roughly 35 statute miles around position 25-36N 083-16W.
U.S. Coast Guard Southeast/XA search and rescue operation is underway for missing Spivey and Billmaier in Fort Meyers, Florida
Officials warned that uncoordinated vessels or aircraft entering the search area could interfere with operations, delay response efforts and create unsafe conditions. The Coast Guard urged all crews and pilots to maintain situational awareness and avoid the active search area unless officially coordinated.
Background and Contacts
Randall Spivey is a personal injury attorney and is listed as the founder and president of Spivey Law Firm.
Family members have said a monetary reward has been offered for information leading to the men’s whereabouts. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 239-477-1000 or call 911. Anonymous tips may be submitted to SWFL Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS.
Authorities continue to appeal for witnesses and any assistance as search operations proceed.
