The wife of a missing fisherman has shared a theory she believes could shed light on the disappearance of her husband and his uncle.
Randall Spivey, aged 57, and Brandon Billmaier, 33, disappeared while on a fishing excursion in Fort Meyers, Florida. Officials have described the situation as peculiar.
The two men, who are uncle and nephew, were last seen on December 19. However, they never made it back to shore after departing.
They were reported overdue to the Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg at 8 pm, prompting a search and rescue mission.
Later that night, around midnight, a Coast Guard helicopter located their boat, named Unstoppable, adrift and still running approximately 70 miles west of Fort Meyers. Neither man was found on the vessel.
Brandon’s wife, Deborah, discussed the situation with local media and shared her thoughts on what might have occurred. She also divulged the final text she received from her husband.
According to ABC affiliate WPBF, Brandon’s message read: “I love you, and I’ll see you tonight. I’ll be back home tonight.”
Deborah mentioned that the Coast Guard suspects one of the men might have fallen overboard, leading the other to jump in after him, unaware that the boat’s engine was still operational.
She explained: “So they jumped in the water, and the boat was still going, kept moving away from them.
“There was no way the two men could catch up to the moving 42-foot boat.”
Reflecting on her relationship with her husband amid the tragic circumstances, Deborah spoke warmly of their connection.
She shared: “Our love story, it’s pretty incredible we met in 2020.
“From the moment I first met him, the way he speaks, carries himself, talks about others, cares about others, it’s just something indescribable.”
The family issued a statement following the decision to end the extensive search for the two men.
The statement read in part: “There is the highest degree of confidence that if Randy and Brandon were on the surface of the water, they would have been found. With that understanding, the Coast Guard has advised the family that as of sundown today, the active search must be suspended. While this is heartbreaking, the family is certain this is the correct decision and holds the deepest respect, gratitude, and acceptance for it.
“… This is incredibly difficult for the family and for everyone hoping for a different outcome. We respectfully ask that the decision to suspend the search be honored, both from a professional agency standpoint and from a volunteer standpoint.
“The family asks for your compassion, understanding, and support during this unimaginably difficult time. We love you all.”