The Silence Speaks: Examining the Mysteries Behind the Case of the Missing Fishermen

One week ago, the US Coast Guard called off its search for Randall Spivey and Brandon Billmaier, two fishermen who vanished on the Gulf. The FBI has since stepped in, but the two men are still missing, and the news has gone quiet. Usually, when people disappear, you get regular updates, press conferences, fresh leads, something. This case? Silence.

Here’s what happened.

Randall Spivey, a Fort Myers attorney, and his nephew Brandon Billmaier set out for a fishing trip early Friday, December 19, 2025. They were supposed to be back that evening.

When their families didn’t hear from them, they called the Coast Guard. The next day, search teams found their boat, empty, engine still running, about 70 miles off Naples. The Coast Guard and volunteers searched for four days, covering nearly 6,700 square miles. By sunset on Monday, December 22, they suspended the search, calling it a tough decision. The FBI took over, and the official investigation continues.

Let’s break down what we know.

The "Unstopp-A-Bull," their 42-foot boat, was found adrift with two life jackets missing. That suggests Spivey and Billmaier wore them, maybe when they went into the water. But there were no signs of struggle, no damage to the boat, nothing that points to what really happened. The Coast Guard’s massive search turned up nothing more. Now, the FBI leads the case.

As for theories

The boat was still running, fishing gear left out, as if they left suddenly. Two life jackets gone, maybe they were wearing them. But why would two experienced fishermen both end up in the water?

The most common theory is that one man fell in, and the other dove in to help, not realizing the boat would keep moving. Spivey's son isn’t buying it. He says his dad was as careful as they come, knew every safety protocol, and never would’ve jumped in after someone. Both men were seasoned boaters. “Whatever happened out there, it’s like a one-in-a-million thing,” he said.

There have been theories regarding foul play. Spivey’s legal work comes up a lot, especially reports identifying him as a key witness in a federal investigation into Sheriff Marceno. That case ended without charges, but people wonder if there’s a connection.

The question of the missing fishing gear.

Reports state the Coast Guard took the fishing gear off the deck for safety, which explains why it was missing when the boat was found. No evidence points to kidnapping, no ransom demands, nothing concrete.

The FBI taking over has only fueled speculation. And the lack of news coverage? It just makes things murkier. For a case like this, you expect more, updates, press releases.. Instead, there’s a void. No new details, no closure, just two men gone and a lot of unanswered questions.