The search continues for two missing men, Randall Spivey and Brandon Billmaier, who disappeared during a fishing trip off Fort Myers, Florida, on December 19. The U.S. Coast Guard and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) are actively seeking the public’s assistance, labeling the two as “endangered adults.”
According to the LCSO, the pair left early Friday morning on a 42-foot Freeman boat from a residence located on Intracoastal Court. By later that evening, their families had not heard from them, prompting a call to the U.S. Coast Guard around 7:30 p.m. Efforts to locate them began in earnest, with crews deploying air and surface units throughout the day.
Capt. Corrie Sergent, commanding officer of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Sector St. Petersburg, emphasized the ongoing efforts, stating, “Today, we continue to search with air and surface crews, pursuing all leads and saturating the search area.” He also expressed gratitude for the community’s support during this challenging time for the families involved.
Spivey, 57, is described as a white male standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing approximately 245 pounds, while Billmaier, 33, is 6 feet 2 inches and weighs around 250 pounds. Billmaier’s wife, Deborah, has shared her heartbreak over their disappearance and announced a monetary reward for information leading to their safe return. In her emotional Instagram post, she shared details of the search efforts, mentioning that the boat was discovered 70 miles off the coast but without any sign of the two men.
The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting extensive search and rescue operations in the affected area, covering approximately 35 statute miles from the last known location of the boat. They have advised that all aircraft maintain awareness to avoid interfering with the search operations, as uncoordinated efforts may hinder response times and create unsafe conditions.
Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Spivey and Billmaier to contact the LCSO at 239-477-1000, or to call 911. Tips can also be provided anonymously through SWFL Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS.
As the search continues, hope remains that this community effort will bring Spivey and Billmaier back to their loved ones safely.