The wife of a fisherman who vanished during a fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico has issued a heartbreaking plea to the public, urging them to join the desperate search for her husband and his uncle.
A Fishing Trip That Ended in Mystery
Brandon Billmaier, aged 33, and his uncle Randall Spivey, 57, set off from Fort Myers, Florida, early on the morning of Friday, December 19. The pair were on a bottom fishing expedition and were expected to return to shore by late afternoon the same day.
When her husband failed to return or make contact by 7:30 pm, a worried Deborah Billmaier alerted the United States Coast Guard. A helicopter was deployed at approximately 11 pm to begin a search of the area.
The Discovery of the Empty Vessel
The situation took a grim turn in the early hours of Saturday, December 20. At 1:30 am, the family received the news that the Coast Guard had located the men's boat roughly 70 miles off the coast of Fort Myers. Critically, the vessel was found empty.
A spokesperson for the US Coast Guard Southeast District confirmed the boat was still running and 'in gear' when discovered. A Coast Guard swimmer had to deploy the vessel's anchor to stop it from drifting further.
Officials noted that the boat's Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) was still on board and had not been activated to send a distress signal. However, the life jackets were missing, leading to hope that the men may be wearing them in the water.
A Community Rallies in a Massive Search Effort
In the agonising days since their disappearance, Deborah Billmaier has mobilised a huge volunteer effort. On Sunday, December 21, boaters joined official crews to search within a 70-mile radius of the shore.
'Thank you to all the local heroes who are working to bring my husband Brandon and uncle Randy home,' Billmaier wrote in a social media update. 'They have yet not been found, but we are staying positive.'
Scott Smith, a Civilian Rescue Coordinator with the Coast Guard, told media that the mission remains one of search and rescue, not recovery. 'There's a very good chance... that they're still alive, and we're going to find them today and bring them home,' he stated on Sunday.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office is assisting and has issued detailed descriptions of the two men. Randall Spivey is described as a white male, 6'1", 245lbs, with brown hair and eyes. Brandon Billmaier is a white male, 6'2", 250lbs, with strawberry blonde hair and brown eyes.
A further community-led search was scheduled for Monday, December 22, expanding the range to a 225-mile area. Deborah Billmaier has called for any volunteers with suitable boats to make contact.
The families cling to hope as the extensive operation continues, asking for ongoing prayers and practical assistance from the public.
