Federal investigators have reportedly restarted the search for a Michigan woman who went missing in the Bahamas. This comes after new forensic data suggested inconsistencies in her husband’s account of the night she disappeared.
U.S. authorities are seeking permission from Bahamian officials to deploy a dive team to search for Lynette Hooker’s body in a different area of the Sea of Abaco. This new direction is motivated by GPS data that appears to contradict her husband’s statements, as initially reported by CBS News and later confirmed by other sources.
According to sources, the GPS data retrieved from Brian Hooker’s electronic devices shows discrepancies with what he reported to investigators. These devices have indicated locations that have yet to be searched.
Investigators are also attempting to extract information from the ship’s equipment, such as an infrared camera, which might hold additional clues regarding Lynette Hooker’s disappearance.
Bahamian officials mentioned that, pending approval, the new search will focus on parts of the Abaco Sea reaching depths of about 25 feet. The investigation is based on GPS data from Brian’s mobile phone, which he used with a marine navigation app. A U.S. official confirmed that the couple’s dinghy likely visited this area.
The Hookers’ boat, named Soulmate, was relocated from Fort Pierce to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as authorities couldn’t retrieve it from the water in Fort Pierce.
Data indicates that the vessel was in the water, paused in the Sea of Abaco, before returning to shore. The latest data will help narrow down the search area, according to sources.
Lynette Hooker’s family has provided a DNA sample to aid in the investigation.
Additionally, CBS News has reported that further evidence related to the case is currently being analyzed at the FBI’s laboratory in Quantico.
This situation unfolds nearly two months after Lynette disappeared during a vacation with her husband on April 4. It raises fresh questions regarding Brian Hooker’s version of events.
Previously, Brian Hooker told investigators that while they were boating at night, his wife fell from a small dinghy and was carried away by the water. Authorities pointed out that she had the ignition key when she fell overboard, compelling him to row back to shore.
Despite a week-long search effort, investigators were unable to locate Lynette Hooker.
Brian Hooker was held by Bahamian police for five days following his wife’s disappearance but faced no charges. His lawyer indicated that he returned to the U.S. to attend to his mother, who is reportedly very ill.
Last month, agents from the Coast Guard Bureau of Investigation took the couple’s yacht and brought it to Fort Pierce, Florida.
After Lynette went missing, Brian expressed his heartbreak on Facebook regarding the incident, emphasizing his ongoing search for her.
As of now, Brian Hooker has not been charged with any crime in connection to the incident.
FOX News Digital has reached out to his attorney for further comment.
