The husband of a missing American woman, who disappeared in the Bahamas, has taken steps to secure legal representation in the United States, as reported recently.

Brian Hooker, after returning to the U.S. last week, has enlisted the services of Crystal Marie Hauser, an attorney based in Michigan. According to information shared by ABC News, Hooker’s decision to return stateside was influenced by his need to attend to his “very ill” mother, as conveyed by his attorney in the Bahamas to Fox News Digital.

In his account to Bahamian authorities, Brian Hooker stated that on the evening of April 4, his wife, Lynette, tragically fell from a dinghy off the coast of Hope Town around 7:30 p.m. He mentioned that Lynette fell overboard with the ignition key. Local law enforcement reported that Hooker reached a marina in Marsh Harbour at approximately 4 a.m. on April 5, after paddling to shore, marking about eight hours since his wife’s fall.

Attorney Hauser issued a public appeal regarding the circumstances surrounding Lynette Hooker’s disappearance, urging understanding and compassion.

“I would ask those observing this situation to extend the same courtesy you would wish for yourself, to give him the benefit of the doubt,” Hauser stated. “Remember, we all manage our relationships and communicate differently, and it’s important to consider this in light of current events.”

A photograph taken in 2023 shows Lynette and Brian Hooker aboard a small boat, capturing a moment before the events unfolded. (John Waters)

Responding to claims of domestic violence from Lynette Hooker’s mother and daughter, Brian’s attorney said they are baseless.

Brian Hooker arrived at Marsh Harbour Boatyards in the Bahamas after his wife, Lynette Hooker, went missing at sea. (AJ Skuy for Fox News Digital)

“Be open-minded to the fact that just because Karli and Darlene are making these claims, there’s absolutely no evidence to support any of the allegations – absolutely none,” she said.

Hauser said she imagines Brian Hooker’s “heart” is in the Bahamas, but did not reveal if he plans to return to the island.

Lynette Hooker disappeared in the Bahamas. (Brian Hooker/Facebook)

Criminal defense attorney Donna Rotunno told Fox News Digital that Brian Hooker’s move to hire a U.S.-based lawyer is smart.

“I think it makes sense for him to hire one regardless, body not found, nothing solved… Smart to hire a lawyer in the state,” Rotunno said.

General views of the boat “Soulmate,” owned by Brian and Lynette Hooker, in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas, April 16, 2025. (Matthew Symons for NY Post)

Brian Hooker hasn’t been charged with a crime and was released from jail by Bahamian officials, who declined to charge him at the time, but left the investigation into Lynette open.

After Lynette Hooker went missing, Brian said in a Facebook post that he was “heartbroken.”

A map of key locations as Bahamian police investigate Brian Hooker and his wife Lynette’s disappearance. Created on April 12, 2026.  (Fox News)

“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 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.”

Lynette Hooker’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, flew to the Bahamian island on Thursday to help with the search.

Brian Hooker boards a plane to Nassau from Grand Bahama Freeport Airport in The Bahamas, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. With him is his lawyer, Terrel A. Butler. (Matthew Symons for Fox News Digital)

Aylesworth told NBC News she questions Brian Hooker’s version of how her mother went missing, adding that she spent three hours talking with police.

“I feel like this was probably preplanned, if anything, like, it doesn’t seem like just some accident,” Aylesworth said.