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Topics: Crime, News, US News, World News
Madison Burgess
Authorities in the Bahamas have arrested a man following the disappearance of his wife at sea over the weekend.
Lynette Hooker, 55, from Michigan, vanished last Saturday (4 April) while travelling in an eight-foot motorboat from Hope Town to Elbow Cay.
Her husband, Brian Hooker, who had been on the boat with her, told authorities that tragically, she fell overboard with the keys, which caused the engine to turn off, and was swept out to sea by the strong currents.
As per the BBC, the 59-year-old said in a statement on Wednesday (8 April): "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.
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"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."
However, the Royal Bahamas Police Force later confirmed that a man had been arrested in connection with the disappearance, but didn't name him.
Then, early on Thursday (9 April), the individual was named as Brian Hooker, Lynette's husband, in a statement from his attorney, Terrel A. Butler.
The lawyer said that Hooker 'categorically and unequivocally denies any wrongdoing' and 'has been cooperating with the relevant authorities as part of an ongoing investigation'.
She said that she and her client cannot comment further because the case is ongoing.
It came after a US Coast Guard official confirmed to the BBC on Wednesday that a criminal investigation had been opened into Lynette's disappearance.
Lynette's 'distraught' daughter Karli Aylesworth has since spoken to NBC News and said that her mother was unlikely to 'just fall' off the boat.
She claimed that her stepdad told her what had happened during a brief phone call on Sunday, in which, she said, he sounded 'monotone and relaxed'.
Karli told the publication: “I was in shock. I was like, my mom’s missing? Like, what?”
She claimed that Lynette and Brian's relationship was sometimes volatile, outlining that they have a 'history of not getting along, especially when they drink'.
"We’re pretty distraught that this is even happening. I’m still in shock. Like, it’s just surreal," she continued.
Speaking separately to CBS News, Karli added that her mum is an experienced swimmer who has been sailing for more than 10 years.
"For one, I don't understand how she got the key. Brian's always driving. So he basically is in charge of the key. So the fact that my mom had it doesn't make any sense," she said.
Brian Hooker's lawyer, Terrel A. Butler, has since issued an update following a visit with him at the Central Police Station in Grand Bahama.
In a statement to Tyla, the attorney said: "Brian appears completely heartbroken and deeply distressed. His primary concern and source of intense frustration is his inability to continue the search for his wife of 25 years.
"The trauma of her disappearance, coupled with his current detention as a suspect, has left him in an extremely fragile state.
"Brian shared a harrowing account of an incident that occurred on the night of his arrest. Under conditions of heavy rain and strong-force winds, he was taken by boat to his boat, the Soulmate for a police search. Despite the choppy and dangerous sea conditions, he was kept in handcuffs."
The statement continued: "While attempting to move sideways across the wet, unstable flooring of the boat to maintain his balance - with a bundle of clothes in his restricted hands - he lost his footing and fell overboard.
"He was submerged in the cold water and took in a significant amount of seawater before his life jacket brought him to the surface. He had to be rescued from the water by the police.
"As a result of this fall, Brian sustained an injury to his knee, which has caused him to limp, as well as a visible abrasion.
"Based on these injuries, Brian instructed me to request immediate medical attention on his behalf. As a result, I have formally informed the police officers on duty of the injuries he sustained while in police custody and requested a medical evaluation.
"The officers have assured me that he will be transported to the Rand Memorial Hospital for treatment and a full medical assessment. I will continue to monitor his condition and the progress of the investigation closely."
Tyla has contacted the Royal Bahamas Police Force for comment.