Online Speculation Randall Spivey Was Informant in Sheriff Marceno Gambling Case
Online Speculation is Rampant…
Vanished at Sea: The Mysterious Disappearance of Two Florida Boaters and the Shadow of a Closed Federal Probe
The tranquil waters of the Gulf of Mexico became the backdrop for a chilling maritime mystery when two experienced Florida boaters vanished without a trace. Randall “Randy” Spivey, 57, a prominent Fort Myers personal injury attorney, and his nephew Brandon Billmaier, 33, a Boca Raton-based lawyer, set out on a routine fishing trip on December 19, 2025. They never returned.
What followed was a massive multi-agency search, the recovery of their drifting vessel, and a swirl of online speculation linking their disappearance to a recently closed federal investigation involving Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno—a connection authorities have not confirmed.
A Routine Trip Turns Tragic
The pair departed early Friday morning from a residence on Intracoastal Court in Fort Myers, aboard a 42-foot Freeman boat named Unstopp-A-Bull. They were expected back by evening. When they failed to return or respond to calls, their families alerted authorities.
The U.S. Coast Guard launched an extensive search operation, covering more than 4,500 square nautical miles over 81 hours, with support from the Air Force, Florida State Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and local sheriff’s offices. Volunteers from across the region, including the United Cajun Navy, joined the effort.
At around midnight on December 20, a Coast Guard helicopter located the boat adrift approximately 70 miles offshore, near Marco Island and Flamingo. The vessel was still in gear, engines running, and moving at 4.5 knots. A rescue swimmer was lowered to shut off the engines and deploy an anchor. Inside, fishing poles were secured in their holders, but no lines were in the water. Two life jackets were missing, suggesting the men may have intended to enter the water — or were forced to.
Despite the eerie condition of the boat, no sign of Spivey or Billmaier was ever found. On December 22, the Coast Guard suspended the active search, stating that if the men had been alive on the surface, they would have been located given the scope of the effort.
FBI Steps In Amid Speculation
Following the suspension of the search, the FBI assumed control of the investigation, classifying it as a missing persons case. While this is standard procedure in unusual offshore disappearances, the move fueled public intrigue — especially given the recent closure of a federal investigation into Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno.
That probe, which began in 2024, examined allegations of money laundering, misappropriation of county funds, and kickbacks involving a $5,700-a-month consulting contract awarded to a Bonita Springs jeweler, Ken Romano, who claimed he provided Sheriff Marceno with over $100,000 in gifts, including cash for gambling debts. The investigation also looked into contract work done at Marceno’s home by sheriff’s office vendors.
Despite grand jury proceedings in Orlando, the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office closed the case on November 17, 2025, with no charges filed. In a letter to Marceno’s attorney, federal authorities stated the decision was based on “information presently known to the government.”
Sheriff Marceno declared the allegations “politically motivated and completely false,” adding, “I believe in the system… They have found no wrongdoing.”
Online Rumors and Unconfirmed Links
In the wake of the boaters’ disappearance, online commentary — particularly on social media platforms like Facebook — has speculated that Randall Spivey may have been connected to the federal investigation, possibly as a witness or informant. These claims are entirely unverified and have not been acknowledged by law enforcement or major news outlets.
Authorities have not identified any suspects, motive, or evidence of foul play in the case. The FBI’s involvement is procedural, not indicative of criminal activity. As of now, no official link has been made between the disappearance of Spivey and Billmaier and the closed federal probe into Sheriff Marceno.
Remembering the Missing Men
Randall Spivey was a well-respected attorney and the founder of Spivey Law Firm, where his wife, Tricia Spivey, also practices. Known for his generosity and dedication to clients, Spivey was described by friends as a “beacon of kindness” and a “champion for his family and friends.”
Brandon Billmaier, a University of Toledo graduate, worked at the Shiner Law Group and had married just last year. His wife, Deborah Billmaier, remembered him as her “best friend, husband, and greatest love,” writing on social media that they had traveled to over 30 countries together and shared a life full of dreams and adventures.
A Community Left Searching for Answers
As the investigation continues, the families of the missing men have expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of support. In a joint statement, they said:
“The amount of support, time, and effort being given means more to us than we can put into words… Brandon and Randy would never want anyone else to put their life in danger, and we know they would want this decision to be respected.”
For now, the Gulf of Mexico holds its secrets. The boat has been recovered. The search has been suspended. But the questions remain — and the truth may still be drifting somewhere beneath the surface.