The United States Coast Guard has suspended its search for two attorneys who disappeared under mysterious circumstances during a fishing expedition off the coast of Florida last week. The case has now been taken over by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
A Fateful Trip and an Empty Boat
Randal 'Randy' Spivey, 61, and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, both personal injury lawyers, set out on their fishing trip on Friday, December 19, 2025. They were expected to return to shore by approximately 7:30pm that evening. When they failed to appear, concerned family members alerted authorities, triggering a large-scale search operation.
During the search, the US Coast Guard located the men's boat adrift roughly 70 miles off the Florida coast. In a chilling detail, the vessel's engine was still running, but there was no sign of either Spivey or Billmaier. No life jackets were found on board.
FBI Initiates Unusual Missing Persons Investigation
With the active search now ended after days of finding no trace, the FBI has initiated a missing persons investigation. Former FBI agent Richard Kolko highlighted the unusual nature of the case in comments to Wink News, noting the men were 'beyond the territorial limits of the U.S. coast' when they vanished, which brings federal jurisdiction into play.
The circumstances surrounding their disappearance remain deeply puzzling, with no clear indication of what may have transpired on the open water.
Family's Heartbreaking Statement and Plea for Privacy
In a moving public statement, the grieving family paid tribute to both men, describing them as dedicated attorneys who spent their careers advocating for injured people. 'Few people were more concerned about the safety of innocent people than Randy and Brandon,' the statement read.
The family expressed confidence that the two men would agree that every possible effort had been made in the search. They asked for the public to respect the decision to call off the active search and to honour the bravery of the rescue teams.
'The family asks for your compassion, understanding, and support during this unimaginably difficult time,' the statement concluded.
Authorities have released descriptions of the two men in the hope that the public may provide information. Randal Spivey is 6'1" with brown hair and eyes, and was last seen wearing khaki pants and a dark shirt. Brandon Billmaier is 6'2" with strawberry blonde hair and brown eyes.
The investigation into this baffling fishing trip disappearance continues as the FBI works to uncover more answers.
