The husband of a Michigan woman who went missing at sea after reportedly falling from a boat in the Bahamas has been arrested, his Bahamas-based attorney said early Thursday.
“I can confirm Brian Hooker was arrested,” a statement from the Terrel A. Butler, Hooker’s attorney, said.
The statement comes hours after the Royal Bahamas Police Force said a man was arrested in connection with the disappearance of Lynette Hooker, 55. The agency at the time did not identify the man who is in custody or say what charges he may face.
Earlier Wednesday, an official with the U.S. Coast Guard said the military branch opened a criminal investigation into her disappearance.
Butler said Hooker, 59, denies any wrongdoing and rejected recent claims made by Lynette Hooker’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, that it seemed unlikely that her mother would “just fall” overboard.
“Mr. Hooker categorically and unequivocally denies any wrongdoing and in particular the allegations recently made by Karli Aylesworth. He has been cooperating with the relevant authorities as part of an ongoing investigation.”
Butler added Hooker and Aylesworth cannot comment further because the case was ongoing.
As the investigation continues, here’s what we know right now.
What happened to Lynette Hooker?
Lynette Hooker disappeared after her husband, Brian Hooker, said she fell overboard while the pair traveled in an 8-foot motor boat from Hope Town to Elbow Cay Saturday night. Brian Hooker told authorities his wife had the boat keys with her when she fell, causing the engine to turn off and forcing him to paddle for hours to get to shore for help.
“Strong currents subsequently carried her away, and he lost sight of her,” police said in a statement issued Saturday.
The couple, from Michigan, have been sailing for more than a decade, starting with a small two-person sailboat and moving to a larger vessel they bought in Texas, Aylesworth said.
Wednesday morning, Brian Hooker, whom Aylesworth identified as her stepfather, issued a message on Facebook.
“I am heartbroken over the recent boat accident in unpredictable seas and high winds that caused my beloved Lynette to fall from our small dinghy near Elbow Cay in the Bahamas,” he wrote. “Despite desperate attempts to reach her, the winds and currents drove us further apart. We continue to search for her and that is my sole focus.
“Our family is deeply grateful for the Bahamian people’s assistance, especially that of the Hopetown Volunteer Fire & Rescue team, Royal Bahamas police force, Royal Bahamas Defense Force, and the US Coast Guard, who have worked tirelessly in an ongoing effort to bring Lynette back to us,” the statement went on to say. “Thank you to everyone for keeping Lynette in your thoughts and for your support of our family during this difficult time.”
Bahamian police said search operations and investigative efforts remain active. Richard Cook, team lead with Hope Town Volunteer Fire & Rescue, said on Tuesday that the effort to find Lynette was now a “recovery operation.”
Earlier this week, the State Department said it was aware of reports of a missing woman in the Bahamas and that it was “working with Bahamian authorities to provide assistance.”
“Due to privacy and other considerations, we have no further comment at this time,” a spokesperson said Monday.
Unlikely to ‘just fall’ overboard
Aylesworth, in an interview with NBC News, said her mother was unlikely to “just fall” overboard. Aylesworth also was quoted as saying that the couple’s relationship was volatile, and that they have a “history of not getting along, especially when they drink.”
They sailed around the Gulf of Mexico, she said, and eventually got to the Bahamas. She said her mother and Brian sold their home a few years ago and lived full-time on a sailboat.
They documented part of their Bahamas trip on their TikTok and Instagram pages called “The Sailing Hookers.” In their last TikTok post, the couple had sailed to Great Guana Cay.
In an interview with NBC 5 Investigates Wednesday, Aylesworth said “I’m still in a lot of shock right now that this is even a conversation, but I’m doing okay for what it is.”
Aylesworth said her mother was experienced at sea, was in shape and less likely to fall overboard.
“The longer this goes on, the more I doubt that she will be coming back,” Aylesworth said.
Aylesworth acknowledged she didn’t know what transpired but said she was concerned. She also said her mother and stepfather had been married for 25 years but described their relationship as “rocky at best.”
Aylesworth said that she had reached out to the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Embassy but had not received much information.
Brian Hooker did not respond to questions via Facebook from the NBC Chicago Investigates team.
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