In a dramatic twist surrounding the disappearance of American boater Lynette Hooker, her husband, Brian Hooker, took an unexpected plunge off a police vessel in the Bahamas. The incident occurred while he was being transported by authorities, as reported by his attorney, Terrel Butler.
According to Butler, the 59-year-old fell overboard while handcuffed on a police boat on Wednesday, just a day after his arrest linked to his wife’s mysterious disappearance. Clad in a life vest, Brian struggled in the water until officers managed to pull him back aboard.
The defense lawyer explained that turbulent waters caused the boat to sway, leading to Brian’s fall overboard, despite being unable to secure himself due to the handcuffs. Following the incident, Brian reportedly experienced “knee pain and abrasions” and was subsequently taken to a local hospital for medical care.
Though Brian Hooker remains the primary suspect in the case of his missing 55-year-old wife from Michigan, he has not yet been formally charged. Concerns about Lynette’s whereabouts were initially raised by her distressed daughter, prompting a series of police interviews with Brian. He was questioned twice as a witness and later as a suspect, according to Butler.
Butler said his client suffered some “knee pain and abrasions” and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Brian hasn’t been charged with anything yet, but he is the sole suspect in the 55-year-old Michigan mom’s disappearance after her heartbroken daughter raised concern. He was interviewed by police twice as a witness, and questioned a third time as a suspect, according to Butler.
Lynette’s daughter from a previous relationship claimed that her mom and stepdad had a “history of not getting along, especially when they drink.” She specifically cited Brian’s temper, recalling how he previously choked Lynette and threatened “to throw her overboard.”
The couple had been riding in their dinghy Saturday night when Lynette reportedly fell overboard and was pulled away by strong currents, according to Brian’s account. She had the motor’s key with her when she fell into the sea, which cut the engine’s power, he said.
Brian was then forced to paddle back to shore. He returned early Sunday morning and informed an individual that Lynette was missing. That person then informed police.
Here’s the latest on Lynette Hooker, the US woman who vanished after falling off a boat in the Bahamas
That same day, Brian left his stepdaughter a “monotone and relaxed” voicemail updating her on the search efforts.
“Hello, honey, I just got a call from Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue, and they found a flotation device that I threw to mom when she fell overboard,” Brian said in a message obtained by Fox News Digital.
“So they’re – that’s a – they haven’t found her yet, but they can now focus all of their efforts in a smaller area, and they’re still out there searching today. So I just wanted to update you and let you know. I love you. I’ll talk to you later. Bye-bye.”
Efforts to find Lynette have since shifted to a recovery operation.
Brian has denied any involvement in his wife’s disappearance, saying he was “devastated” in a statement posted on his Facebook page.
