The husband of Lynette Hooker, who went missing while boating in the Bahamas, is no longer in police custody following the emergence of distressing images suggesting she may have been abused, according to law enforcement and reports.
Brian Hooker, aged 59, was released after his arrest last Wednesday, as police faced a deadline to determine their next steps in the investigation, his attorney, Terrell Butler, stated.
Butler didn’t engage with reporters while exiting the Grand Bahama Central Police Station but noted that Brian was “very emotional” and needed to be free from “this horrific experience,” as reported.
Brian had been in custody since last Wednesday, shortly after Lynette, his wife for nearly 25 years, fell from an 8-foot dinghy while en route to their yacht in Elbow Cay, according to his wife’s claims.
Law enforcement indicated that preliminary findings suggested Lynette, 55, fell overboard while attempting to reach the yacht Soulmate, which they were approaching together, and was subsequently swept away by the current.
As the couple was journeying from Hopetown to Elbow Cay, Lynette allegedly fell into the ocean while holding the boat’s keys, causing the engine to stop.
Brian communicated to authorities that he lost sight of his wife amidst the rough waters and that he eventually returned to shore in a small boat, reaching Marsh Harbor Boatyard around 4 a.m. on Sunday.
His arrest came amid troubling claims from Lynette’s mother, Darlene Hamlett, who mentioned that her daughter had left Brian multiple times due to alleged abusive behavior, including a past incident that resulted in visible injuries.
Hamlett expressed her long-standing fears regarding her daughter’s safety and reflected on the mixed nature of Lynette’s marriage, stating, “The relationship had good times and bad.” She perceived both deep affection and harm within their bond, noting Brian’s violent tendencies when drinking.
Though Lynette often returned to Brian, she kept a photographic record of the abuse to serve as a reminder against reconciliation. Hamlett added that she had sought advice from a domestic violence shelter about separating the couple.
Moreover, Hamlett revealed she had arranged for a flight for Lynette to return to her the month before Lynette went missing, as Brian’s behavior seemed to worsen.
During questioning, Brian became noticeably upset and emotional, visibly affected as it was indicated that he was a suspect in the case.
Neither Brian Hooker’s attorney nor the Royal Bahamas Police Service provided immediate comments to inquiries.
