The search for two missing Florida boaters — 33‑year‑old attorney Brandon Billmaier and his 57‑year‑old uncle, Randall “Randy” Spivey — has tugged at the hearts of communities across the Gulf Coast after a routine fishing trip took a frightening turn and ended with their boat found adrift 70 miles offshore.

Brandon and Randy left early on the morning of Friday, December 19, from Fort Myers Beach aboard their 42‑foot Freeman boat, expecting to spend the day fishing and return home by sunset. But by that evening, when neither man had come back or responded to calls, concern turned to alarm. Family members alerted the U.S. Coast Guard, launching one of the area’s most intense sea and air search operations in recent memory.

At around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, a Coast Guard helicopter located the pair’s vessel floating off the Gulf — but no trace of either man was found aboard. Their empty boat, still in gear, confirmed that something had gone terribly wrong, leaving loved ones and search teams with more questions than answers.

In the days that followed, the Coast Guard, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and partner agencies combed thousands of square miles of open water, their efforts spanning roughly 6,700 square miles — an area comparable in size to the state of Connecticut. But despite intense efforts by air and sea crews, no signs of Brandon or Randy emerged, and authorities made the difficult decision to suspend active search operations at sunset on Monday, December 22.

Now, the missing persons investigation has been taken over by the FBI, which is examining the unusual circumstances surrounding the disappearance — from the abandoned boat’s location to the strange lack of any physical trace of the two experienced fishermen.

Amid this uncertainty, Brandon’s wife, Deborah Billmaier, has become the emotional voice of a family clinging to hope. In a series of heartfelt Instagram posts, she expressed gratitude to the search crews and volunteers who joined the effort, while also revealing her family’s pain and unwavering faith that her husband and his uncle will someday be found.

“Thank you to all the local heroes who are working to bring my husband Brandon and uncle Randy home,” Deborah wrote. “We cannot thank you enough, and are eternally grateful. They have yet not been found, but we are staying positive and know they will come home. Please continue to pray for us.”

She continued to share updates with the public, calling for vessels capable of long‑range travel to assist in an expanded offshore search, and outlining how volunteers could participate. Her plea resonated deeply, drawing support from a nationwide community who offered messages of prayer, solidarity, and encouragement.

Deborah also shared more personal memories of her husband — describing Brandon as both her best friend and “greatest love”, a devoted attorney who followed in his uncle’s footsteps and a man who embraced life with joy, travel, and a passion for fishing. Friends, colleagues, and family echoed her sentiments, recalling how Brandon’s kindness and commitment to helping others defined his character.

For Deborah, the pain is especially acute as the holidays approach. She has spoken about the bittersweet memories of moments they shared — dinners, anniversary trips, and plans for the future that now feel painfully suspended in time. Yet even in heartbreak, her messages emphasize respect for the search crews, gratitude for community support, and the enduring hope that her husband and uncle‑in‑law might still be brought home safely.

As the federal investigation continues and the family holds on to faith, the story of Brandon and Randy’s disappearance remains a stark reminder of the ocean’s unpredictable power — and of a family’s refusal to surrender hope, even in the face of unimaginable uncertainty.