The wife of a fisherman who vanished at sea has made a heartfelt appeal to her community, seeking their help in locating him.
Deborah Billmaier’s husband, Brandon, aged 33, accompanied by his uncle, Randall Spivey, 57, embarked on a bottom fishing expedition from Fort Myers on the morning of December 19.
Deborah anticipated her husband’s return by late afternoon on the same day. However, only their empty boat has been discovered, and the men remain missing.
In the three days since their disappearance, she has initiated search efforts to reunite her husband and his uncle with their family in Florida.
In her poignant message, Billmaier implored friends and family to unite in prayer and active support.
“It breaks my heart to share this,” she expressed in a post dated December 20.
‘My husband Brandon went out fishing yesterday with his uncle off the coast of Fort Myers. They left early in the morning on Friday Dec 19th and were meant to come back that afternoon.
‘At 7:30 we had not heard back from them, and we contacted the US Coast Guard. At approximately 11 pm they deployed a helicopter.’
Deborah Billmaier’s (left) husband went missing on Friday during a fishing trip with his uncle
Brandon Billmaier (left) and Randall Spivey (right) went out bottom fishing and were expected home only hours later
An empty boat that belonged to the two missing fisherman was recovered without anyone on board
‘At 1:30 am on Dec 20th we received a call that they had found the boat (70 miles off the coast) but no one was there,’ she continued.
‘The helicopter has continued searching throughout the night. As the sun rises we are looking for additional help in the search efforts. If you or someone you know can help please reach out to us.
‘If you cannot, please keep them in your prayers as we continue to have faith that we will find them.’
A spokesperson for the US Coast Guard Southeast District told Fox Digital that the boat was still running when it was found.
‘The boat was in gear,’ Riley Perkofski said. ‘We deployed a swimmer, and then the swimmer deployed the vessel’s anchor so that it wouldn’t keep moving.’
The Coast Guard reportedly found that the men’s Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon was still on the boat.
That device would have allowed them to send out a distress signal.
Deborah has rallied loved ones, friends and social media followers to help find her husband
The men’s empty boat was found 70 miles from the coast of Fort Meyers, Florida
The life jackets, however, were not on board. That discovery led officials to believe that the nephew and uncle may be wearing them.
Billmaier organized a major volunteer effort with the help of the US Coast Guard on the morning of December 21.
Boaters have searched 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 her latest post.
‘We cannot thank you enough, and are eternally grateful. They have yet not been found, but we are staying positive and know they will come home, please continue to pray for us.’
According to Gulf Coast News, Coast Guard officials remain optimistic.
‘We are continuing to do a search and find, not a search and recovery mission,’ Civilian Rescue Coordinator Scott Smith told the outlet.
‘There’s a very good chance, even though it’s been 36 hours since they’ve been in the water or so that they’re still alive, and we’re going to find them today and bring them home.’
Deborah Billmaier organized a massive search effort Sunday morning with another coming on Monday
According to Fox4, Spivey is a Fort Myers attorney. He is founder and president of Spivey Law Firm.
‘He’s an amazing husband, an amazing father,’ his wife told the outlet.
Billmaier’s husband Brandon lives in Weston, Florida and also practices law. She told the outlet that the entire situation has ‘been a nightmare.’
‘[It] feels like I’m in a horror movie,’ she said.
The Lee County Sherriff’s Office appears to be assisting with the search. Officials asked offered a detailed description of the missing men to anyone who may be able to help.
Sheriff Carmine Marceno described Spivey as ‘a white male, 6’1, 245lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing khaki pants and a dark in color shirt.
‘[Brandon] Billmaier is a white male, 6’2, 250lbs, with strawberry hair and brown eyes.’
‘If you know the whereabouts of Spivey and Billmaier, you’re asked to call the Lee County Sheriff’s Office,’ Marceno continued.
The US Cost Guard believed that Brandon Billmaier (left) and Randall Spivey (right) may be wearing their life jackets
Another community search will take place the morning of December 22, this time in a 225-mile range.
Billmaier called any and all volunteers with boats capable of helping to contact her.
‘On behalf of our family, thank you for your continued support, willingness to help, and prayers. Your assistance truly matters,’ she said.
The Daily Mail contacted the US Coast Guard and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office for more information.
