The FBI has assumed control of the probe into the mysterious disappearance of two boaters who went missing off the Florida coast over the weekend.

The Coast Guard halted its search efforts on Monday for Randall Spivey, 57, and Brandon Billmaier, 33. The two men had ventured out on a fishing expedition approximately 100 miles from Fort Myers. According to the Fort Myers News-Press, their vessel, a 42-foot Freeman, was discovered adrift with its engine still running but no one on board.

The FBI’s involvement in the case has been confirmed by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office to the Fort Myers News-Press. An FBI spokesperson also verified the agency’s participation in a statement provided to WFTX.

“It is standard practice for the FBI to assist our law enforcement partners if we have a tool, tactic, or technique that could benefit their investigations,” the spokesperson explained.

According to the Palm Beach Post, Spivey and Billmaier, who are uncle and nephew, both serve as attorneys.

Following the suspended search, the lawyers’ family expressed that they support the Coast Guard’s decision.

“In a private briefing with Coast Guard leadership, the family was informed that, given the enormous amount of time, resources, and strategic effort focused on the most logical search areas, there is the highest degree of confidence that if Randy and Brandon were on the surface of the water, they would have been found,” they said in a statement.

“Few people were more concerned about the safety of innocent people than Randy and Brandon. We know—without question—that they would reach the same conclusion as the experts: that everything possible has been done. They would ask that this decision be respected and that the bravery and heroism of those who searched—those in the air and on the water doing the real, dangerous work—be honored.”

[Feature Photo: Lee County police]