FBI Joins Search After Two South Florida Lawyers Disappear at Sea

Authorities have widened the search for two South Florida lawyers who went missing while on a fishing trip off the coast of Naples, launching a multi-agency effort that now includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The incident has sparked a complex emergency response involving local, state, and federal agencies.

The two men, both attorneys from the Fort Myers area, were reported missing after their vessel was discovered adrift near Naples with no one on board late in the afternoon. The Coast Guard initially responded to the scene after a concerned party notified officials that the small fishing vessel was floating without its occupants, with the engine still running. Investigators were able to confirm the boat’s registration and identify the missing men, prompting an urgent search.

Search operations began immediately and have since expanded. Officials have deployed aircraft, boats, and personnel from multiple agencies to patrol the waters from Naples southward. The FBI’s involvement comes as part of efforts to coordinate information, resources, and investigative expertise at both sea and on land.

Search crews have combed the Gulf of Mexico in a wide perimeter, scanning for any sign of the missing men or evidence that could indicate their whereabouts. The operation has incorporated sonar equipment, radar, and aerial observation in hopes of locating clues that may explain what happened during the unexpected disappearance.

Weather conditions in the area were considered generally calm at the time the vessel was found, though open water always poses inherent risks. Authorities have treated the situation as urgent given the elapsed time and the unpredictable nature of search operations at sea, where conditions can change rapidly and diminish the chances of locating individuals alive.

The identities of the missing attorneys match records showing they were both active in legal practice in the region, with ties to the Fort Myers community. Family members and friends have expressed deep concern, assisting authorities where possible and offering details about the men’s boating experience and intentions for the trip. They had embarked on what was expected to be a routine fishing outing, leaving from Naples early in the day.

Marine investigators are reviewing every facet of the case, including the boat’s condition, the fuel levels, navigation equipment, and communication devices. Recovery teams have documented the scene where the boat was spotted adrift, capturing photographs and video evidence to help build a timeline of events. Theories under consideration range from mechanical failure and navigational error to a possible accidental fall overboard, though nothing has been confirmed at this stage.

The Coast Guard’s command center in Miami has been receiving updates from on-site teams and relaying information to partner agencies. Coordination with the FBI allows for expanded analysis, including data from marine traffic systems, cellphone pings, and potential digital clues that may help narrow the search area.

Local law enforcement agencies in Collier and Lee counties have issued missing-persons reports and are collaborating with federal teams to reach out to anyone who may have heard from the men or seen their boat earlier in the day. Residents who live near marinas or along the coast have been urged to report any unusual sightings that could assist searchers.

As daylight hours progress, the focus remains on locating the missing attorneys or any evidence that could explain what happened. Search teams are prepared to continue operations around the clock, weather permitting, as families and the broader community watch and wait for answers.

This case highlights the challenges and urgency of maritime search and rescue efforts along Florida’s Gulf Coast, where boaters and anglers frequently enjoy open-water recreation. It also underscores the critical role of interagency cooperation when lives are at stake.