Friends and family grieve as search for boaters is called off

The search for two missing boaters, Randy Spivey and Brandon Billmaier, has come to a heartbreaking halt. The families of the men made the difficult decision to end their volunteer search efforts after the U.S. Coast Guard suspended its official search.

"It's been a heavy and emotional few days for everyone involved," the family said. They believe everything that could be done has been done.

Bruce Scheiner, Spivey's mentor, described him as "the best young lawyer that I know," adding, "He was just the warm, great, wonderful human being."

Scheiner said Spivey was "like a son" to him and recalled their close working relationship. "He started with our firm and worked closely with me, and he just got better and better," he said.

The news of Spivey and his nephew Billmaier's disappearance was surreal for Scheiner. "It was just really surreal to me because Randy was very much like my son," he said.

The search effort was extensive, involving both professionals and volunteers with boats on the water and planes in the air. "They searched for hours over the Gulf looking for Randy," Scheiner said, noting that the search continued over multiple days.

Despite the exhaustive efforts, no answers have emerged. Paul Rocount read a family statement, saying, "The search effort has covered an area larger than the entire state of Connecticut." He added, "There is the highest degree of confidence that if Randy and Brandon were on the surface of the water, they would have been found."

The Coast Guard suspended their search, and the families agreed it was the right decision. "Few people were more concerned about the safety of innocent people than Randy and Brandon," the family statement said. "We know without question that they would reach the same conclusion as the experts, that everything possible has been done."

The family expressed their certainty that this was the correct decision and shared their gratitude for the efforts made. "This is incredibly difficult for the family and for everyone hoping for a different outcome," Rocount said.

For Scheiner, accepting this reality is challenging. "It was inevitable that they had to do that, but you know, you just never want to give up hope and face reality that we're not going to be able to see or be with Randy again," he said.

The family urged the community not to risk their safety in continuing the search, as the waters become more treacherous further west. They ask that their loved ones be kept in thoughts and prayers.