The husband of a girl who was reported missing in the Bahamas after going overboard on a dinghy has been arrested, in line with the Royal Bahamas Police Pressure.
Lynette Hooker, 55, of Michigan, and her husband, Brian Hooker, 58, had departed Hope City on the Abaco Islands for Elbow Cay round 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, in line with the Royal Bahamas Police Pressure.
The couple was en path to their yacht, “Soulmate,” when dangerous climate precipitated Lynette Hooker to fall overboard, her husband informed authorities.
Brian Hooker was arrested Wednesday night, police mentioned.
In an announcement, lawyer Terrel Butler mentioned he had been retained to signify Brian Hooker.
“I keep the place said by my shopper: he categorically denies the allegations made in opposition to him,” Butler mentioned, including that he had suggested his shopper to chorus from every other public feedback “to make sure the integrity of the authorized course of.”
Brian and Lynette Hooker in a photograph posted to their social media.
the_sailing_hookers/Instagram
The arrest comes after a number of sources informed ABC Information a felony investigation had been opened into whether or not there was any wrongdoing within the case.
The U.S. Coast Guard might be main the probe, in line with a supply conversant in the investigation.
The search is ongoing for Lynette Hooker, in line with police.
The Hookers’ boat, “Soulmate,” is seen in Marsh Harbor on Nice Abaco Island within the Bahamas, April 8, 2026.
ABC Information
Her husband informed police the robust currents on Saturday took her out to sea, authorities mentioned. She was holding the boat key when she went overboard, inflicting the 8-foot hard-bottom dinghy’s engine to close off, police famous.
Her husband spoke out for the primary time on Wednesday, saying he’s “heartbroken over the latest boat accident.”
In an announcement posted to social media, Brian Hooker mentioned “unpredictable seas and excessive winds” precipitated his “beloved Lynette to fall from our small dinghy” close to Elbow Cay.
“Regardless of determined makes an attempt to achieve her, the winds and currents drove us additional aside. We proceed to seek for her and that’s my sole focus,” he mentioned.
Brian Hooker subsequently paddled the boat again to shore, arriving at round 4 a.m. Sunday to a marina, the place he reported his spouse overboard to a person who then alerted police, authorities mentioned.
The search and rescue operation has been carried out by land, sea and air and concerned a number of companies, together with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Royal Bahamas Police Pressure mentioned.
Brian Hooker thanked the companies “who’ve labored tirelessly in an ongoing effort to convey Lynette again to us.”
“Thanks to everybody for holding Lynette in your ideas and in your assist of our household throughout this tough time,” he mentioned.
Brian and Lynette Hooker in a photograph posted to their social media.
the_sailing_hookers/Instagram
The investigation and search efforts are ongoing, police mentioned Tuesday.
Lynette Hooker’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, has referred to as for a “full and full investigation” into her mom’s disappearance.
She informed ABC Information her mom is match and a superb swimmer, and described what her stepfather informed her about his spouse’s disappearance.
“He mentioned that my mother’s lacking and that she fell out of the boat and that he threw a life jacket to her or one thing, and he would not know if she obtained it or not,” she mentioned.
“I simply hope we discover her,” she added.
The Hookers are avid sailors, documenting their travels on social media below the title “The Crusing Hookers.”
The U.S. State Division is “conscious of reviews relating to a lacking American close to Elbow Cay” and is “working with Bahamian authorities to offer help,” a spokesperson for the company mentioned Monday.
