A criminal inquiry has been initiated to determine if any misconduct occurred in the case of a woman who was reported missing in the Bahamas after allegedly falling overboard from a dinghy, as reported by various sources to ABC News.
The investigation will be spearheaded by the U.S. Coast Guard, according to an insider familiar with the case.
The search continues for Lynette Hooker, a 55-year-old resident of Michigan, as confirmed by the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
She and her husband, Brian Hooker, set off from Hope Town on the Abaco Islands towards Elbow Cay around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, based on police statements.
While on their way to their yacht, named “Soulmate,” adverse weather conditions led to Lynette Hooker falling into the water, as reported by her husband to the authorities. Strong currents subsequently swept her away from the vessel. Police indicated that she was holding the key to the dinghy when she fell, which caused the engine of the 8-foot hard-bottom dinghy to shut down.
In his first public statement on Wednesday, Brian Hooker expressed his devastation regarding the recent boating incident.
In a social media post, 58-year-old Brian Hooker mentioned that “unpredictable seas and high winds” caused his “beloved Lynette to fall from our small dinghy” close to Elbow Cay.
“Despite our 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,” he stated.
After the incident, Brian Hooker managed to paddle back to shore, arriving at a marina around 4 a.m. on Sunday. There, he reported his wife missing to a staff member who subsequently notified the police.
The search and rescue efforts have been extensive, utilizing land, sea, and air resources, and involving multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard and the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
Brian Hooker expressed gratitude to the agencies involved, stating, “Thank you to everyone for keeping Lynette in your thoughts and for your support of our family during this difficult time.”
Authorities have indicated that both the investigation and search efforts are ongoing as of Tuesday.
Lynette Hooker’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, has called for a “full and complete investigation” into her mother’s disappearance.
In an interview with ABC News, she shared details relayed by her stepfather about the incident, stating, “He said that my mom’s missing and that she fell out of the boat and that he threw a life jacket to her or something, and he doesn’t know if she got it or not.”
“I just hope we find her,” she added with hope.
The Hookers are passionate sailors, sharing their nautical adventures on social media under the name “The Sailing Hookers.”
The U.S. State Department has acknowledged being “aware of reports regarding a missing American near Elbow Cay” and stated they are “collaborating with Bahamian authorities to provide assistance,” according to a spokesperson for the agency on Monday.
