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HOPE TOWN, Bahamas – The Royal Bahamas Police announced Wednesday evening that a man has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of an American woman in the Bahamas.
The arrest happened shortly after the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed to Fox News Digital on Wednesday that officials have opened a criminal investigation into the disappearance of Lynette Hooker.
Hooker, roughly 56 years old, went missing Saturday evening while traveling by boat with her husband Brian Hooker, 58, according to Bahama officials.
She reportedly fell into the water near Hope Town and was carried away by the current, according to Brian.
A 56-year-old American woman, identified as Lynette Hooker, disappears after going overboard during a boat trip in the Bahamas, according to local officials. (Brian Hooker/Facebook)
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.
Members of The Royal Bahamas Police Force inspect the yacht, Soulmate, moored near shore in Marsh Harbour, The Bahamas, Wednesday. A criminal investigation has been launched into the after Lynette Hooker reportedly fell overboard while on an evening boat trip with her husband, Brian Hooker last weekend. (AJ Skuy for Fox News Digital)
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.
Members of The Royal Bahamas Police Force inspect the yacht, Soulmate, moored near shore in Marsh Harbour, The Bahamas, Wednesday. (AJ Skuy for Fox News Digital)
Brian did not respond to multiple requests for comment from Fox News Digital. He currently has not been charged with any crime.
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 4:00 a.m. on Sunday.
HUSBAND OF AMERICAN WOMAN MISSING IN THE BAHAMAS SPEAKS OUT FOR FIRST TIME, SAYS HE IS ‘HEARTBROKEN’
Lynette Hooker and Brian Hooker are seen in a picture taken in 2023 on a small boat. (John Waters)
“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, 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.
AMERICAN COUPLE CHASING RETIREMENT DREAM IN BAHAMAS BOATING MYSTERY WERE ‘INEXPERIENCED’: FRIEND
Lynette Hooker went missing after she fell off a small boat on Saturday evening. Her husband, Brian Hooker, reported her missing early Sunday morning. (Lynette Hooker/Facebook and Brian Hooker/Facebook)
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.”
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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 Hooker.
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.
