The U.S. Coast Guard has taken possession of a dinghy linked to the disappearance of Lynette Hooker in the Bahamas. This action has brought a sense of relief to Lynette’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, as new search efforts are underway. Donna Rotunno, a criminal defense attorney, raised concerns about the delay in seizing the dinghy, suggesting that evidence might have been lost.
Lynette Hooker, a Michigan resident, went missing while vacationing with her husband, Brian Hooker, in April. The couple reported her missing on April 4 while they were boating near Elbow Cay in the Abaco Islands. Brian claimed that Lynette fell from the dinghy at night and was carried away by the current to their sailboat, “Soulmate.” Lynette’s body has yet to be found.
Darlene Hamlett, Lynette’s mother, rejected Brian Hooker’s account and shared her belief that Lynette returned to the “Soulmate” before vanishing. “She made it back to the boat, and there was foul play,” Hamlett stated. While not elaborating further, she mentioned that her comments are restrained by Coast Guard advice.
The “Soulmate,” owned by Brian and Lynette Hooker, was docked at the U.S. Coast Guard station in Fort Pierce, Florida. The Coast Guard transported it from the Bahamas for further investigation.
The Coast Guard Investigative Service declined to comment on Hamlett’s claims due to the ongoing investigation. The investigation included a visit to the Bahamas where dive searches in the Sea of Abaco and land searches, assisted by a cadaver dog, were conducted to locate Lynette.
The dinghy that Lynette was last known to be on has been brought to the U.S. for detailed forensic analysis. Investigators aim to uncover potential evidence from the vessel.
Brian Hooker explained to authorities that during a nighttime boat ride, Lynette fell overboard, taking the dinghy’s ignition key with her. He claimed he had to paddle back to shore alone.
In a statement on Facebook, Brian expressed his heartbreak over the incident. “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,” he wrote. Despite efforts, they were separated by the weather conditions.
After being questioned and released by Bahamian authorities, Brian Hooker returned to the U.S. and has maintained a low profile since. No charges have been filed against him in connection with Lynette’s disappearance.
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