Bahamian law enforcement officials arrested a Michigan man on the evening after search operations were suspended in the case of his wife, who went missing at sea earlier in the week. The arrest was confirmed by the assistant commissioner of police, who said the man was detained on Abaco for further questioning based on probable cause.
Authorities identified the detained man as Brian Hooker. His wife, Lynette Hooker, 55, vanished while the couple were traveling by small boat in the Abacos on April 4, according to police statements. The U.S. Coast Guard has since opened a criminal investigation into the disappearance, a U.S. official said.
Arrest and statements from police
Advardo Dames, the assistant commissioner of police, described the arrest in a phone interview. "We took him into custody around 7:30 p.m. this evening in Abaco for additional questioning based on some probable cause we have," he said. "He’s been taken into custody as a suspect. He’s been arrested."
As of the latest update, Brian Hooker has not been formally charged, and it was not immediately clear whether he has legal representation.
Search activity and findings
Bahamian naval forces and police carried out extensive search efforts between Elbow Cay and the Abaco mainland before rescue operations were called off and recovery work began in the area where Lynette Hooker went missing, a Royal Bahamas Defence Force spokesperson said. The United States Coast Guard contributed aerial surveillance to the searches, the spokesperson said, but there were no confirmed sightings of Lynette.
During the search, teams located only a flotation device along the shoreline, the spokesperson added.
Account provided to police
Police reports state that Brian Hooker told officers the couple departed Hope Town, Abaco, at about 7:30 p.m. EDT (2300 GMT) on April 4 in an 8-foot hard-bottom dinghy bound for Elbow Cay. According to the report, he said his wife fell overboard while holding the boat's keys, which led to the engine shutting off and strong currents carrying her away from the vessel's immediate area.
The report indicates the husband lost sight of his wife and then paddled to shore. After arriving on land, he informed another individual of the incident and the police were alerted, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said.
Context and next steps
With search operations transitioned to recovery mode and a U.S. criminal probe underway, Bahamian authorities have detained Brian Hooker for additional questioning. Investigators have so far recovered only a flotation device and have not confirmed any sightings of Lynette Hooker. At this stage, formal charges have not been filed.