When Lynette Hooker was reported missing on April 5, her husband, Brian Hooker, told police that she had fallen overboard while they were on a boat trip in the Bahamas. But days later, he was taken into custody — raising new questions about what happened to the Michigan mom at sea.
Brian’s lawyer, Terrel A. Butler, said in a statement to PEOPLE that he “categorically and unequivocally denies any wrongdoing” and “has been cooperating with the relevant authorities” since his wife disappeared.
Though it’s unclear why he was arrested, Lynette’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, previously claimed that “prior issues” were brought to her attention.
“If this truly was an accident, I can understand and live with it,” Aylesworth said in a statement to PEOPLE. “However, there needs to be an intensive review of the facts and circumstances of this tragic incident before that can be determined.”
At the time, Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue team leader Richard Cook told PEOPLE that officials “don’t suspect foul play at the moment.” Brian, through his lawyer, also explicitly rejected Aylesworth’s allegations.
So, what happened to Lynette Hooker? Here’s everything to know about the mom who went missing at sea, and why her husband was arrested.
Lynette Hooker reportedly fell overboard in the late hours of April 4
Lynette Hooker.Credit: Lynette Hooker/Instagram
Brian told the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) that he and Lynette left Hope Town in the Bahamas in a small, 8-foot dinghy on April 4, around 7:30 p.m. local time, heading toward their yacht in Elbow Cay. According to his account, she fell overboard during rough weather.
“It was just a lot of bad decisions,” Cook told PEOPLE days later. “Night time, very windy, no moon out yet so it was pitch dark and very rough conditions for the small boat they were in.”
Aylesworth said on CNN News Central that the couple had been married for almost 25 years and that they “always wanted to sail the Bahamas.”
Brian claimed “strong currents” carried her away
Lynette Hooker.Credit: Lynette Hooker/Facebook
Lynette reportedly had the boat keys with her when she fell into the water, which caused the engine to shut off, per Brian’s account to RBPF. He said he lost sight of his wife after “strong currents subsequently carried her away.”
With his vessel inoperable, Brian then drifted for four miles until he arrived at Marsh Harbor, at which point he made his way through the bush to the Marsh Harbor Boat Yards at 4 a.m. on April 5, per CNN. He then alerted the police.
Her daughter claimed that Brian threatened to “throw” Lynette overboard in the past
Karli Aylesworth.Credit: WTVG 13/Youtube
During an April 2026 interview with NBC News, Aylesworth opened up more about her mother’s allegedly volatile relationship and how they had what she described as a “history of not getting along, especially when they drink.”
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