Cops search Lynette Hooker’s yacht — as family fears husband may not be charged in Bahamas case
Bahamian cops investigating Lynette Hooker’s suspicious disappearance have searched the yacht she owns with her husband — but her family fears the case will stall until a body is found.
Investigators issued a warrant to collect cellphones and laptops and cops were seen Wednesday near the couple’s now-abandoned yacht, the Soulmate, which is docked in Elbow Cay, CBS News reported.
The missing sailor’s husband of 25 years, Brian Hooker, 59, was arrested that night, and authorities have 96 hours to decide whether they want to charge him.
Brian Hooker was arrested for questioning over his wife’s disappearance.Facebook/Lynette Hooker
But Lynette’s family believes he will not be charged unless there is a major breakthrough.
“We don’t expect [he will be charged] unless they find blood on the dinghy or her body or some key evidence like that,” Steve Hansen, the boyfriend of Lynette’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, told the Detroit News.
“They just want to put pressure on until they have something.”
Brian, who strongly denies any involvement in his wife’s disappearance, was arrested for “additional questioning,” said Advardo Dames, assistant commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police.
He remained in custody late Thursday, with the clock ticking toward when he has to be released.
“He has so far been interviewed as a witness,” his lawyer, Terrel Butler, insisted to CNN. “He has been cooperating with the police.”
Brian claims Lynette Hooker, 55, fell off the dinghy they were traveling in on Saturday night.Facebook / Lynette Hooker
When he reported his wife missing Sunday, Brian told cops that strong currents swept her away after she fell overboard with the dinghy’s keys.
But he told Daniel Danforth, a friend of three years, that Lynette, 55, swam toward the sailboat, according to messages sent the following day, seen by CBS.
Brian said he became separated from his wife due to the strong winds.
Lynette’s family say they just want answers — and Aylesworth, 28, was left puzzled why Brian didn’t try to save his spouse.
“Why wouldn’t he drop anchor and look for her?” she told CNN.
Cops have issued a search warrant for their yacht, the Soulmate.Instagram / @the_sailing_hookers
“Why did he paddle the other way? If my significant other fell into the water, I’d be freaking out and going after him.”
Aylesworth previously alleged her stepfather had shown signs of volatile behavior toward her mom, fueling suspicion.
“There’s history of him choking her out and threatening to throw her overboard,” she told Fox News on Tuesday.
“So the fact that this is actually happening makes me believe there’s more to the story.”
Darlene Hamlett, Lynette’s mom, said the family has been left with “so many unanswered questions.”
“We are still holding on for a positive outcome to this tragedy,” she said.
News
HE FELL INTO THE WATER! — Suspect Brian Hooker reportedly slipped overboard while in police custody during the investigation into the disappearance of Lynette Hooker in the Bahamas. Officers quickly pulled him back onto the boat — but the bizarre moment has only deepened the mystery surrounding the case 👇
Husband of US woman Lynette Hooker who went missing from Bahamas boat falls overboard himself while in police custody The…
THE WEATHER WAS TOO ROUGH… — Text messages sent by Brian Hooker just minutes after Lynette Hooker reportedly went overboard in the Bahamas are now under scrutiny. In one message, he allegedly blamed strong winds and waves for the failed rescue attempt — a detail investigators are now closely examining 👇
Husband of missing US woman Lynette Hooker texted pal over apparent Bahamas overboard, blamed wind for failed rescue before his…
FRIEND’S THEORY EMERGES: A close friend of missing American woman Lynette Hooker has shared a new theory about what may have happened during the late-night boat trip with her husband Brian Hooker in the Bahamas. The friend claims a nearby marina camera reportedly captured a brief 18-second exchange on the dock before the dinghy left, a moment investigators are now said to be examining closely 👇
Friend of missing mom Lynette Hooker offers new theory on disappearance — as cops eye hubby Missing American boater Lynette…
NEIGHBOR SPEAKS OUT: A neighbor of missing American woman Lynette Hooker says they weren’t shocked by the news, claiming the arguments between her and Brian Hooker had been “pretty intense.” The neighbor also claims a porch CCTV camera once captured a 47-second late-night argument outside the house, a clip investigators are now reportedly reviewing as the case in the Bahamas grows more complicated 👇
Neighbor of missing boater Lynette Hooker long feared something ominous could happen: ‘The violence was pretty bad’ A neighbor of missing…
NEW INFORMATION REVEALED: The husband of Amy Hillyard, 52, the missing café owner, has revealed chilling new details from the day she disappeared during an afternoon stroll in Oakland. A single letter, barely one page long, with the second line written in red pen, is baffling police👇
Husband of beloved SF coffee shop owner reveals harrowing new details of the day she vanished The husband of a Bay…
AUDIO CLIP – 18 SECONDS: A recording from a nearby search boat captures 18 seconds of wind and waves near where Lynette Hooker vanished. Then a sudden splash interrupts the audio before the sound cuts off
As the criminal investigation into the disappearance of Lynette Hooker intensifies in the Abaco Islands, a new piece of audio…
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