The search for two men missing from a boat in the middle of the bay has now become an FBI missing persons investigation.
After four days of missing and three full days of searching, Randall Spivey, 57, and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, 33, were not found by numerous volunteers assisting the U.S. Coast Guard sea and air search mission.
The search radius is approximately 6,700 square miles, an area equivalent to the state of Connecticut.
Volunteers from across the southwestern United States joined the search mission, which began on Saturday (December 20) and continued through Monday, December 22.
The United Cajun Navy, a volunteer-led organization that specializes in life-saving rescue operations, also deployed an aircraft about 11 a.m. Monday about 100 miles west of Naples.
Capt. Corey Sergent, commander of Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, said in a U.S. Coast Guard news release that after careful consideration of all factors contributing to the case, the Coast Guard ultimately decided to suspend active search efforts.
“There was no decision more difficult than to suspend the search. I am deeply grateful to the staff, partners and volunteers throughout the community who conducted this massive search with the utmost professionalism, perseverance and compassion. Our sincere condolences go out to the families and friends of Mr. Spivey and Mr. Bill Meyer during this extremely difficult time,” Sergent said.
The FBI has now taken over the case and classified it as a missing persons case, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Missing boat people in the Gulf: Timeline
Early on Friday, December 19, Spivey and Bill Meyer went on a fishing trip. They were supposed to return that evening, but by 7:30 their wives had not heard back from them.
This prompted the Coast Guard to call the police and at 11pm a helicopter was sent to search for the men.
More than two hours later, the family was notified that Spivey and Bill Meyer’s boat – a 42-foot Freeman named the Unstopp-A-Bull – had been found about 70 miles off the coast of Naples. The engine is still running.
However, these people were nowhere to be found.
Two life jackets were missing from the boat, leading the family to believe Spivey and Bill Meyer may have been wearing them.
The search continued into the weekend, with volunteers from Florida and surrounding states providing support.
By the evening of Monday, December 22, the Coast Guard was forced to cease the search.
“While this is heartbreaking, Brandon and Randy would never want anyone to put their lives at risk, and we know they want this decision to be respected,” Deborah Biermeier, Brandon Biermeier’s wife, posted on Facebook Monday night.
who are they?
Spivey is a well-known personal injury attorney in Fort Myers. He is the founder of Spivey Law Firm, where his wife, Tricia Spivey, is also a personal injury attorney.
“He was a really, really amazing person who, as an attorney, dedicated his life to helping other people and helping them in their time of need. That’s why it’s so heartwarming that so many people are now coming forward looking for him,” Tricia Spivey told the news outlet on Saturday, Dec. 20.
Spivey and his nephew loved fishing, she said, and her husband had been fishing for more than 30 years.
One Facebook poster, Andrew Abel, called Randy a “dear friend and mentor.”
“I will never forget that he was there for me every time I was in need without asking. Randy would drop anything he did to help me. EVER. Randy supported his family and friends and I am forever grateful that he supported me and allowed me to be a part of his family as well,” Abel wrote Monday night.
Another poster, Cristina M. Puccio, wrote: “Randy has been a beacon of kindness and warmth in my life for many years and I am truly blessed to have known him.”
Like his uncle, Bill Meyer is a personal injury attorney at Shiner Law Group in Boca Raton.
“On behalf of everyone at Shiner Law Group, we are deeply saddened by the disappearance of Brandon and his uncle Randy,” Shiner Law Group said in a statement. “Brandon was a valued member of our firm and someone we cared about deeply, both as a colleague and as a friend. Brandon was an outstanding person and a great attorney, and we are heartbroken.”
Fort Myers attorney Randy Spivey (left) and his nephew Brandon Biermeier disappeared Dec. 19 off the coast of Naples during a fishing trip.
Bill Meyer grew up in Michigan and graduated from the University of Toledo. In addition to fishing, he enjoys playing pickleball and traveling.
Bill Meyer also got married last year. Traveling is something the couple often does together. Deborah Billmaier shared on social media that they have traveled to more than 30 countries.
“Brandon was my best friend, my husband and my favorite person. He showed me every day what true, unconditional love is. We had so many dreams and plans and I am forever grateful for the most amazing five years we had together,” Deborah Biermeier wrote on her social media account.
One commenter, Megan Schlett, said: “Brandon should have been the best man at our wedding and he will always hold that title. There is no one more deserving of that title than Sebastian. Brandon is like Sebastian’s brother and we all love Brandon dearly.”
Another commenter, Donna Antonelli, wrote: “Brandon was humble, genuine, friendly, always had a positive attitude and was always there to help fellow attorneys. He was a true gentleman, which is so rare these days. I will miss him terribly.”
Tayeba Hussein is a breaking news reporter for The News and the Naples Daily News. Contact her: thussein@usatodayco.com.
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This article originally appeared in the Fort Myers News: Missing Florida boater prompts federal investigation
