Arrested husband of woman who disappeared from boat in Bahamas in an ‘extremely fragile state,’ lawyer says
Brian Hooker, the Michigan man arrested in the Bahamas after his wife went missing at sea, is now in an “extremely fragile state,” his attorney said.
The 59-year-old told investigators his wife, Lynette Hooker, fell overboard while they were on a boat traveling from Hope Town to Elbow Cay on April 4, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force. He was then detained on Wednesday evening.
His attorney, Terrel Butler, described him as “completely heartbroken and deeply distressed” in a statement shared Friday with The Independent.
“His primary concern and source of intense frustration is his inability to continue the search for his wife of 25 years. The trauma of her disappearance, coupled with his current detention as a suspect, has left him in an extremely fragile state,” he said.
Hooker, who has not been charged, “unequivocally denies any wrongdoing,” according to Butler.
Hooker is also suffering from a knee injury, which he sustained after falling overboard while police were searching his boat on the night of his arrest, according to his attorney.
“Under conditions of heavy rain and strong-force winds, he was taken by boat to his boat, the Soulmate for a police search. Despite the choppy and dangerous sea conditions, he was kept in handcuffs,” Butler said.
“While attempting to move sideways across the wet, unstable flooring of the boat to maintain his balance—with a bundle of clothes in his restricted hands—he lost his footing and fell overboard. He was submerged in the cold water and took in a significant amount of seawater before his life jacket brought him to the surface. He had to be rescued from the water by the police,” he added.
Hooker is expected to receive treatment at Rand Memorial Hospital.
The Independent has contacted the Royal Bahamas Police Force for comment.
Hooker initially told investigators his wife was carried away by “strong currents” after she “fell overboard” while they were on a boat together, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said Sunday.
“According to preliminary information, a male complainant reported that he and his wife, both U.S. nationals, departed Hope Town around 7:30 p.m. aboard an 8-foot hard-bottom dinghy enroute to Elbow Cay,” the agency said in a statement.
“During the journey, his wife reportedly fell overboard with the boat keys, causing the vessel’s engine to shut off. Strong currents subsequently carried her away, and he lost sight of her. He then paddled the vessel to shore,” the statement continued.
The agency announced Hooker’s arrest late Wednesday. Advardo Dames, the assistant commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police, said he was “taken into custody as a suspect,” according to Reuters. The U.S. Coast Guard has also opened a criminal investigation into the incident.
