Murder charge possible as detention deadline looms for husband of missing US woman in Bahamas

Authorities in the Bahamas have until Monday evening to file charges against the husband of a Michigan woman who went missing at sea after reportedly falling from a boat in the Bahamas.

An attorney for Brian Hooker confirmed his arrest Thursday, hours after the Royal Bahamas Police Force said a man was arrested in connection with the disappearance of Lynette Hooker, 55. Terrel A. Butler, Brian Hooker’s attorney, said his client was interviewed by police, and the line of questioning suggests authorities are looking into a possible murder charge, NBC News reported.

Brian Hooker’s detention was extended until 7:20 p.m. local time Monday, his attorney told NBC News. Authorities can’t extend his detention further, the attorney said, and he must be charged to continue to remain in custody.

Butler said Brian Hooker, 59, denies any wrongdoing and rejected recent claims made by Lynette Hooker’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, that it seemed unlikely that her mother would “just fall” overboard.

“Mr. Hooker categorically and unequivocally denies any wrongdoing and in particular the allegations recently made by Karli Aylesworth,” the attorney said. “He Has been cooperating with the relevant authorities as part of an ongoing investigation.”

Aylesworth also was quoted as saying that the couple’s relationship was volatile, and that they have a “history of not getting along, especially when they drink.”

The daughter of a missing woman whose husband claims fell overboard from a boat in the Bahamas told NBC 5 Investigates’ Bennett Haeberle that she has more concerns and questions than answers.

Aylesworth said her mother was experienced at sea, was in shape and less likely to fall overboard.

“The longer this goes on, the more I doubt that she will be coming back,” Aylesworth said.

Lynette Hooker disappeared after her husband, Brian Hooker, said she fell overboard while the pair traveled in an 8-foot motor boat from Hope Town to Elbow Cay on Saturday, April 4. Brian Hooker told authorities his wife had the boat keys with her when she fell, causing the engine to turn off and forcing him to paddle for hours to get to shore for help.

“Strong currents subsequently carried her away, and he lost sight of her,” police said in a previous statement.

The couple, from Michigan, have been sailing for more than a decade, starting with a small two-person sailboat and moving to a larger vessel they bought in Texas, Aylesworth said.

Brian Hooker, whom Aylesworth identified as her stepfather, issued a message on Facebook in the days immediately following Lynette Hooker’s disappearance.

“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, in part. “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…”