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Fishermen Vanish: Boat Found Running 70 Miles Offshore
22 Dec
Summary
- An empty fishing boat was found running 70 miles offshore.
- Two fishermen, Brandon Billmaier and Randall Spivey, went missing.
- A large volunteer search effort is underway to find the men.
A desperate search is underway for two fishermen, Brandon Billmaier, 33, and his uncle Randall Spivey, 57, who vanished after departing Fort Myers on December 19. Their boat was discovered adrift and running approximately 70 miles offshore on December 20, with no one aboard. Billmaier's wife has launched a public appeal, organizing volunteer efforts alongside the U.S. Coast Guard.
The U.S. Coast Guard reported the boat was still in gear when found, and life jackets were missing, suggesting the men may have been wearing them. The fishermen's Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon was still on the boat. Search coordinators remain optimistic, focusing on a search and find mission rather than recovery.
Randall Spivey is a prominent Fort Myers attorney and founder of Spivey Law Firm. His wife described him as an amazing husband and father. Brandon Billmaier resides in Weston, Florida, and also practices law. The Lee County Sheriff's Office is assisting in the search, providing detailed descriptions of the missing men. Further extensive community searches are planned.
