Late Wednesday, police in the Bahamas announced the arrest of a man, the husband of an American woman who went missing while boating near the islands.
The individual, a 59-year-old whose identity hasn’t been revealed, was taken into custody in Abaco and is currently being questioned by authorities.
A spokesperson from the Coast Guard informed the Associated Press that a criminal investigation has been initiated regarding the situation.
As of now, police haven’t provided additional details, including whether charges will be pressed.
Lynette Hooker, 55, reportedly was on an 8-foot motorboat making her way from Hopetown to Elbow Cay when her husband, Brian Hooker, 58, claimed she fell overboard while holding the keys, which caused the engine to shut off.
Brian then paddled to shore and called for help early Sunday morning regarding the incident.
Authorities are searching for the Michigan woman after her husband reported that she had fallen into the water.
According to Brian Hooker, the strong currents swept her away, and he lost sight of her soon after.
On Wednesday, Lynette’s mother, Darlene Hamlett, expressed a need for more information from her son-in-law about her daughter’s disappearance. The couple had been married for over 20 years and resided in Onsted, Michigan.
“I’m curious to hear what he has to say since I haven’t heard from him in nearly two days,” Hamlett recounted on her drive back from the Bahamian consulate in Miami, where she had quickly secured a passport to visit the Caribbean.
“Our family spent a lot of time on the water, so Lynette knows how to handle herself with boating and swimming,” she added. “If she’s rescued, it would be miraculous, but I still hold onto hope.”
Her daughter, Carly Aylesworth, stated to NBC News that her mother was an experienced sailor and likely wouldn’t have just “fallen” from the boat. The couple often chronicled their sailing adventures on social media under the name “Sailing Hookers.”
Aylesworth also mentioned some tensions in her parents’ relationship, particularly regarding alcohol consumption.
Though she expressed doubts about her mother’s ability to survive without assistance, she hopes for a positive outcome.
In a Facebook post, Brian Hooker expressed his heartbreak over the accident. He described the chaotic scene when Lynette fell from their small dinghy during unpredictable weather.
“Despite our desperate attempts to reach her, the wind and currents pushed us further away,” he wrote, emphasizing that searching for Lynette remains his utmost priority.
The U.S. Coast Guard is also involved in the investigation and has interviewed Aylesworth.
Her attorney, Ron Marienfeld, expressed relief that the investigation is progressing and hopes for more clarity for the family.
The Bahamas Police announced that search and investigation operations are ongoing.
