Husband taken into custody in connection with missing American woman last seen in Bahamas
The husband of an American woman who went missing in the Bahamas has been arrested in connection with her disappearance, according to the attorney representing him.
Attorney Terrel Butler confirmed to Fox News Digital on Thursday that 58-year-old Brian Hooker was taken into custody on Wednesday in connection with the disappearance of his wife, Lynette Hooker. He currently has not been charged with any crime.
Lynette, who is roughly 56 years old, went missing Saturday evening while traveling by boat with her husband, according to Bahama officials. She reportedly fell into the water near Hope Town and was carried away by the current, according to Brian.
Butler said Brian has been cooperating with relevant authorities and "categorically and unequivocally denies any wrongdoing" in Lynette's disappearance, specifically allegations of his potential involvement made by her daughter, Karli Aylesworth.
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The Royal Bahamas Police announced the arrest of a man on Wednesday evening, but did not provide any identification. The arrest happened shortly after the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed to Fox News Digital on Wednesday that officials opened a criminal investigation into Lynette's disappearance.
Fox News Digital confirmed that at approximately 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, a vessel operated by the Royal Bahamas Police Force approached Brian's yacht, which was positioned between two landmasses, to inspect it.
Two officers appeared to secure an item, possibly a rope, to the side of the boat, according to ground source AJ Skuy.
One officer was also seen looking through a window before the crew departed the vessel minutes later.
No further activity was observed around the yacht.
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The incident began around 7:30 p.m. when the couple were on a small boat, known as a dinghy, en route to a yacht near Hope Town’s Elbow Cay.
When Lynette reportedly fell into the water, Brian said he tried to reach her, but turbulent currents ultimately carried them apart.
Brian added that Lynette had the ignition key when she fell into the water, which forced him to paddle back to the marina.
She was reported missing around 4 a.m. on Sunday.
"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," Brian said in a Facebook post. "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, Karli Aylesworth indicated that the circumstances described by Brian were unusual, emphasizing that her mother would not have operated the dinghy.
"I'm confused why she has the keys because she never drove the dinghy," Aylesworth said. "It was always Brian. So the story just doesn't add up right now."
She further described her mother as a "very fit person" who would not easily lose her footing while on a boat.
In addition, Aylesworth alleged that Brian has exhibited troubling patterns of aggression, issues she said "may be important for any thorough investigation."
"I've seen him choke out one of his daughters before. And we had to go to court for that," Aylesworth said. "So he's just repeating patterns."
"If this truly was an accident, I can understand and live with it," she added. "However, there needs to be an intensive review of the facts and circumstances of this tragic incident before that can be determined."
Bahamian authorities have since launched extensive search-and-rescue operations, spanning marine, land, and aerial areas. Efforts have included the use of drones and professional divers to locate Lynette.
The U.S. Coast Guard was reportedly involved in the operation before announcing that it has decided to escalate the case by opening a criminal investigation.
