A Michigan man detained in the Bahamas following his wife’s disappearance during a boating excursion maintains his innocence through his legal counsel, who released a statement Thursday.
Attorney Terrel Butler declared that Brian Hooker “categorically and unequivocally denies any wrongdoing” and has been fully cooperative with investigating officials. Butler noted his client cannot make additional statements during the ongoing investigation.
The 59-year-old suspect was taken into custody Wednesday in Abaco and remains under questioning, according to local authorities who have not disclosed his identity publicly. Neither police nor Butler have revealed whether formal charges have been filed.
The Associated Press confirmed that U.S. Coast Guard officials have initiated a criminal investigation into the matter.
According to official reports, 55-year-old Lynette Hooker disappeared Saturday evening while traveling in an 8-foot motorboat between Hope Town and Elbow Cay. Brian Hooker informed authorities that his wife went overboard along with the boat’s keys, shutting down the engine.
Brian Hooker subsequently paddled to land and reported the incident early Sunday morning, officials stated.
“Strong currents subsequently carried her away, and he lost sight of her,” police said in a statement issued Saturday.
Darlene Hamlett, Lynette’s mother, expressed to The Associated Press late Wednesday that she felt “glad to hear” about the detention but refrained from additional comments while seeking more details.
Speaking earlier Wednesday, Hamlett said she wanted additional information from her son-in-law regarding her daughter’s disappearance. The Michigan couple from Onsted had been wed for over twenty years. Public records list Brian Hooker’s age as 58, creating uncertainty about the age discrepancy.
“I’m going to be interested in what he says, because I haven’t heard from him in almost two days,” Hamlett stated during her six-hour return trip from Miami’s Bahamian Consulate, where she obtained travel documents for an upcoming Caribbean journey.
“Our family grew up on water and so Lynette her whole life has been near lakes, on boats, sailing and swimming,” Hamlett explained. “It would be a miracle if (she’s rescued), but I’m still counting on one.”
Karli Aylesworth, Lynette’s daughter, informed NBC News that her mother would be unlikely to “just fall” from the vessel, emphasizing her sailing expertise. The pair had spent years boating and shared their adventures on social platforms using the name “The Sailing Hookers.”
Aylesworth additionally revealed to NBC that the marriage had turbulent moments, describing “a history of not getting along, especially when they drink.”
In her interview with WXYZ-TV, she expressed doubt about her mother’s survival chances treading water for an extended period, while hoping to locate her for family closure.
Butler’s official statement specified that Brian Hooker’s innocence declaration particularly addresses “the allegations recently made by Karli Aylesworth.”
Wednesday morning brought a Facebook post from Brian Hooker stating he is “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.”
“Despite desperate attempts to reach her, the winds and currents drove us further apart,” he posted. “We continue to search for her and that is my sole focus.”
Coast Guard personnel have joined the investigation and conducted Wednesday interviews with Aylesworth, her legal representative Ron Marienfeld confirmed.
“We are pleased to see it is being investigated, and hopefully more answers will come to give the family some closure,” Marienfeld communicated via email.
Bahamian law enforcement reports that search and investigative operations continue.
