Police in the Bahamas have released a Michigan man who reported his wife missing after she allegedly fell overboard from a small motorboat in the island nation's waters. Authorities confirmed the release on Monday, stating that Brian Hooker, from Onsted in southern Michigan, had been in custody since April 8 for questioning.
Details of the Disappearance
According to police statements, Brian Hooker told authorities that his wife, Lynette Hooker, aged 55, fell overboard on the night of April 4. The couple was traveling in an 8-foot (2.4-meter) motorboat from Hope Town to Elbow Cay, part of a group of small islands in the eastern Bahamas. Hooker claimed that Lynette had the boat's keys, which caused the engine to shut off, forcing him to paddle to shore.
Strong currents subsequently carried her away, and he lost sight of her, police said in a release. After reaching shore, Brian Hooker alerted someone about his wife's disappearance early the following day.
Emotional Response and Legal Proceedings
Following his release, Brian Hooker spoke to CBS News, expressing his emotional turmoil and determination to continue searching for his wife. "I won't be able to stop looking," he said, adding that he wants to believe she is still alive and plans to resume the search as soon as possible.
Law enforcement freed him after consulting with prosecutors, who recommended against filing charges at this time, with investigations still underway. His attorney, Terrel Butler, stated that Hooker has denied any wrongdoing. Butler did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press requesting comment on the release.
Background of the Couple
The Hookers have been married for over 20 years and documented their sailing adventures around the Caribbean on their "Sailing Hookers" Facebook page. In 2023, they posted videos of purchasing a sailboat named Soul Mate in Rockport, Texas, and embarking on a cruise through the Gulf of Mexico from Kemah, Texas.
Their home in Onsted is approximately 70 miles (120 kilometers) southwest of Detroit. Lynette Hooker's daughter, Karli Aylesworth, told NBC News that her mother was an experienced sailor, making it unlikely she would "just fall" off the boat, given their years of sailing voyages.
History of Contention
The couple has a history of domestic disputes. According to a Kentwood, Michigan, police report obtained by NBC, Brian and Lynette Hooker accused each other of assault in 2015. Brian Hooker, who was intoxicated and bleeding from the nose at the time, told police his wife had struck him multiple times in the face, and noted she was also drunk.
Lynette was arrested and spent the night in jail, but a warrant was denied because it wasn't clear "who started the assault." This past incident adds complexity to the current investigation into her disappearance.
Ongoing Investigations
Separate investigations have been opened by the U.S. Coast Guard and authorities in the Bahamas. The case continues to develop as officials gather more evidence and statements from involved parties.
Associated Press writers Audrey McAvoy in Honolulu and Safiyah Riddle in Montgomery, Alabama contributed to this report, highlighting the widespread attention this mysterious disappearance has garnered.
