The search for the 57-year-old Fort Myers attorney and his 33-year-old nephew continued late Sunday after the pair was reported missing Dec. 19 after a fishing trip off the coast of Naples.

The U.S. Coast Guard reported it would continue the search overnight.

A new grid search by volunteer searchers was expected to start Monday morning, Dec. 22, 70 miles east of Naples, family members reported on Facebook.

“USCG crews and partner agencies are continuing the search through the night by air and by sea,” the Coast Guard posted on X at 8:34 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21.

The U.S. Coast Guard is leading the search along with partner agencies to find attorney Randall Spivey and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, who were reported missing at about 9 p.m. Friday. The boat they’d been using for their trip had been scheduled to return at about sunset.

The pair went out in a 42-foot Freeman boat named “Unstopp-A-Bull,” according to Luis Garcia, the supervisor on watch for the Coast Guard sector in St. Petersburg. The Coast Guard found the boat floating upright in the Gulf about 70 miles off the coast of Naples, with no signs of the missing boaters.

Now, one of the largest searches in Southwest Florida history is underway, with a large community effort behind it.

Earlier: Fort Myers attorney missing after fishing trip, search underway in Gulf

Were the missing Florida boaters from Fort Myers found? Boater’s wife provides updates

As of late Sunday, Dec. 21, Spivey and Billmaier, the Florida boaters reported missing Dec. 19 after a fishing trip off the coast of Naples, had not been found, according to Billmaier’s wife, Deborah.

Deborah and other family members of the missing men continued to ask for prayers and for volunteers to help search.

“We are asking for vessels capable of a 225-mile range to assist in a major offshore search,” Deborah Billmaier said in a Facebook post.

“Thank you to all the local heroes who are working to bring my husband Brandon and uncle Randy home,” her post said. “They have not yet been found, but we are staying positive.”

To volunteer in the offshore seach for the missing boaters:

Deborah Billmore’s Facebook post asked volunteer searchers to text to Paul at 239-634-3400:

• Departure location
• Vessel name
• Captains name and cell number
• First mate’s name and cell number
• Vessel range

She said vessels will depart from their own location (ranging from Fort Myers to Marco Island) and search grids would be assigned after updated information is received at 8 a.m. Monday, Dec. 22.

‘Still not sure exactly what occurred’

Deborah Billmaier had posted earlier Sunday:

“Updates after speaking with the U.S. Coast Guard this morning,” Deborah Billmaier wrote in a Facebook post Sunday. “The EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) was unfortunately still on the boat. They were bottom fishing when the incident occurred (still not sure exactly what occurred.)”

The post also mentioned that a couple of life jackets were not found on the boat, indicating that Spivey and Billmaier may be wearing them.

Who is involved in the Florida missing boaters search?

The U.S. Coast Guard sector in St. Petersburg posted news of the search on social media Saturday morning, Dec. 20.

According to the Facebook post, air and surface crews from the agency and partner agencies U.S. Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach, U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Miami and Lee County Sheriff’s Office are involved in the search.

“The search effort support features an 87-foot boat on water, 45-foot boat, 60-foot helicopter, 144 plane, 6130 Air Force from Patrick Air Force Base and an 144 continuing through the day (not sure if this is a boat or a plane),” Deborah Billmaier wrote in her post the following morning.

An urgent marine broadcast has also been issued to all vessels in the area to help expand the search range, said Billmaier.

Community steps in to help in missing boater search in Florida

The U.S. Coast Guard coordinated one of the largest search parties in Southwest Florida history Sunday morning, Dec. 21, starting at first light, according to Deborah Billmaier.

Florida Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman shared the post on X.

Erin Shaw Harrel of Facebook group SWFL Boaters urged people Saturday to take to the water to search for the missing boaters, providing these coordinates for the search: 25-51.67N 083-12.16W.

Brent Stokes, owner of Stokes Marine, also asked for volunteers to help search.

According to Stokes, anyone willing to help with the search could call Tricia Spivey at 239-896-4099 or the U.S. Coast Guard at 727-322-4180.

Capt. Corrie Sergent of the Coast Guard’s Sector St. Petersburg posted on X Sunday morning, Dec. 21, noting crews were “pursuing all leads and saturating the (search) area.”

“Thank you to this amazing community for their support,’ Sergent said in the tweet.

Who are Randall Spivey, Brandon Billmaier ? Florida attorney and nephew missing off Fort Myers

FLORIDA – Florida state officials warned of heightened wildfire risks across the state as dry conditions were expected to continue into 2026.

“I’ve been with the agency a long time, and this is the driest winter that I can remember in quite a while,” Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan said during a Friday press conference.

The number of wildfires had increased significantly, with more than 3,000 reported in 2025 compared to approximately 2,000 in 2024. This surge came months before Florida’s typical peak wildfire season, which usually occurs between April and June.

50-acre wildfire in Hilliard contained, drivers still asked to use caution in area

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson emphasized that human activity was a major concern. “The majority of those fires are started by backyard fires, arson, things of that nature,” Simpson said. “We need everyone to be diligent as we come into the new year with the drier conditions.”

The dry conditions were reflected in rainfall statistics. While 2024 saw above-average precipitation with 62 inches of rain compared to the typical 52 inches, 2025 recorded only 42 inches — creating a deficit of nearly 10 inches, according to Meteorologist Michelle McCormick.

The state was increasing its investment in wildfire management. The 2024-25 budget allocated $45 million for combating wildfires, with a proposed increase to $64 million in the upcoming budget.

Multiple counties across Florida had implemented burn bans. In Duval County, burning leaves was prohibited, with violations carrying fines starting at $250. While recreational campfires using clean, dry wood grown on private property were permitted, officials urged residents to verify local restrictions before any burning activity.

“There are many counties in our state currently with burn bans. Please check with your counties before you have any fires,” Simpson advised.

Residents can check the current burn ban status through the Florida Forest Service’s online dashboard, which displays county-by-county restrictions. Counties such as Hillsborough, Orange, and Duval maintained permanent yard debris burn bans.

A recent wildfire in Hilliard, Nassau County, which consumed approximately 50 acres, served as a reminder of the current risks facing the state.

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