MENU

suburb

  • Loading ...
  • Loading ...

Education Melbourne

Latest News Education Melbourne

Are you looking for a holiday? Get special deals.

 

Two attorneys vanish during Florida fishing trip as 'heartbroken' wife pleads for help finding them

23 Dec 2025 By foxnews

Two attorneys vanish during Florida fishing trip as 'heartbroken' wife pleads for help finding them

Two attorneys have vanished off the coast of Florida during a routine fishing trip, prompting one wife to share that she is "heartbroken" following her husband and his uncle's disappearance in Fort Myers, Florida.

Randall Spivey, 57, and his 33-year-old nephew Brandon Billmaier left before dawn on Friday, Dec. 19, heading out from Fort Myers aboard a 42-foot Freeman fishing boat. Family members say the men were familiar with the waters and planned to be back the same day.

When evening came and there was no word from either man, concern quickly escalated, prompting Billmaier's wife, Deborah, to contact the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). By late Friday night, the USCG launched an emergency response, sending aircraft to search the Gulf.

"I am heartbroken posting this. My husband, Brandon, went out fishing yesterday with his uncle off the coast of Fort Myers," Deborah wrote in an Instagram post. "They left early in the morning on Friday, Dec. 19 and were meant to come back that afternoon."

DESPERATE SEARCH FOR 2 MEN UNDERWAY AFTER FISHING BOAT FOUND EMPTY 70 MILES OFF FLORIDA COAST

In the early morning hours of Sunday, Dec. 20, the boat was found drifting roughly 70 miles off the coast.

"The helicopter has continued searching throughout the night. As the sun rises, we are looking for additional help in the search efforts. If you or someone you know can help, please reach out to us," she wrote. "If you cannot, please keep them in your prayers as we continue to have faith that we will find them."

5 FISHERMEN RESCUED AFTER 55 DAYS ADRIFT AT SEA

A spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard Southeast District said that the boat was still running when it was found, but both men were nowhere to be found. 

"The boat was in gear," Riley Perkofski said. "We deployed a swimmer, and then the swimmer deployed the vessel's anchor so that it wouldn't keep moving."

The Coast Guard said that they found that the boat's transmitter, known as an emergency position-indicating radio beacon, was still on the vessel. 

The Coast Guard and the Lee County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) continue coordinated air and sea searches across the Gulf of Mexico. Authorities are asking anyone who may know the whereabouts of Spivey and Billmaier to contact the LCSO at 239-477-1000, or 911. They can also contact SWFL Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS to remain anonymous.

Spivey was last seen wearing khaki pants and a dark-colored shirt. He has brown hair and brown eyes and is 6'1", weighing 245 pounds. Billmaier is 6'2" and weighs 250 pounds. He has strawberry blonde hair and brown eyes.

Fox News Digital's Rachel Wolf and Sophia Compton contributed to this report.

More News

Booking.com
AI robot now helps travelers at San José airport
AI robot now helps travelers at San José airport
Banking tech data breach exposes 672K in ransomware attack
Banking tech data breach exposes 672K in ransomware attack
Birth tourism industry thrives in Miami as Supreme Court showdown gets underway
Birth tourism industry thrives in Miami as Supreme Court showdown gets underway
Stubborn stroller sparks chaotic airport showdown with baggage handlers in viral video
Stubborn stroller sparks chaotic airport showdown with baggage handlers in viral video
'Wheel of Fortune' star Pat Sajak gives rare glimpse into retirement in viral social media spotlight
'Wheel of Fortune' star Pat Sajak gives rare glimpse into retirement in viral social media spotlight
GREGG JARRETT: Trump's birthright citizenship order meets a wary SCOTUS audience
GREGG JARRETT: Trump's birthright citizenship order meets a wary SCOTUS audience
WWE NXT star Tony D'Angelo warns title contenders he's on a 'path of destruction'
WWE NXT star Tony D'Angelo warns title contenders he's on a 'path of destruction'
Disney shuts down widely used free parking hack as spring crowds surge
Disney shuts down widely used free parking hack as spring crowds surge
Nigeria's Christians on edge for Easter after Palm Sunday massacre
Nigeria's Christians on edge for Easter after Palm Sunday massacre
NFL free agent Aaron Rodgers drawing interest from Broncos as veteran QB weighs future: report
NFL free agent Aaron Rodgers drawing interest from Broncos as veteran QB weighs future: report
Ukraine signals progress on US security guarantees after call with Trump envoys
Ukraine signals progress on US security guarantees after call with Trump envoys
Man with prior arrest caught allegedly trying to shove stranger into train tracks twice in terrifying video
Man with prior arrest caught allegedly trying to shove stranger into train tracks twice in terrifying video
Costco's hot dog-inspired bourbon triggers buying frenzy with $1,000 resale prices
Costco's hot dog-inspired bourbon triggers buying frenzy with $1,000 resale prices
Golf influencer Paige Spiranac shares words of encouragement for Tiger Woods after DUI arrest
Golf influencer Paige Spiranac shares words of encouragement for Tiger Woods after DUI arrest
Reporter kidnapped in Baghdad known for pursuing gutsy, low-budget assignments while living 'frugal existence'
Reporter kidnapped in Baghdad known for pursuing gutsy, low-budget assignments while living 'frugal existence'
Howie Mandel 'kind of' regrets making public apology after tense Kelly Ripa on-air moment
Howie Mandel 'kind of' regrets making public apology after tense Kelly Ripa on-air moment
Jen Shah, Theranos' Elizabeth Holmes bonded in prison over 'poop duty' responsibilities
Jen Shah, Theranos' Elizabeth Holmes bonded in prison over 'poop duty' responsibilities
Florida woman accused of squatting in home near The Villages, then selling the owner's appliances
Florida woman accused of squatting in home near The Villages, then selling the owner's appliances
Ted Bundy unmasked in decades-old teen murder as cold case finally solved by DNA: report
Ted Bundy unmasked in decades-old teen murder as cold case finally solved by DNA: report
Fox News Channel wallops CNN, MS NOW viewership during first quarter of 2026
Fox News Channel wallops CNN, MS NOW viewership during first quarter of 2026
Latest News

copyright © 2026 Education Melbourne.   All rights reserved.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z