Brian Hooker’s boat seized by coast guard in wife’s disappearance: report - BERITAJA

U.S. Coast Guard officials person reportedly seized a Michigan man’s vessel aft he said his wife vanished aft falling overboard while successful the Bahamas successful April.

An charismatic from the seashore guard’s position successful Fort Pierce, Fla., told Beritaja, ABC News and CBS News that the sailboat utilized by Brian and Lynette Hooker — named “Soulmate” — had departed Marsh Harbour successful the Bahamas connected Friday and it was connected its measurement to the U.S. erstwhile the seashore defender took it into custody.

BERITAJA reached retired to the U.S. Coast Guard’s subject branch’s Miami office, which said, “The Coast Guard cannot remark connected an ongoing investigation.”

The improvement comes a week aft the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) successful Miami asked the nationalist for accusation about the disappearance of Lynette Hooker and to thief place the owners of a sailboat that whitethorn person been adjacent the Hookers’ alloy the nighttime she disappeared.

“CGIS is looking for the proprietor of the sailboat beneath moored adjacent the SV Soulmate. Ppl w/ info are urged to taxable tips done CG tips app,” the U.S. Coast Guard Southeast wrote successful a station connected X.

Hooker antecedently told authorities successful the Bahamas that his wife, Lynette Hooker, 55, fell overboard the nighttime of April 4 arsenic they were travelling successful a 2.4-metre motorboat from Hope Town to Elbow Cay, a group of mini islands connected the eastbound extremity of the Bahamas.

He said Lynette had the boat’s keys connected her personification erstwhile she went overboard, causing the boat’s motor to unopen disconnected and forcing him to paddle ashore.

“Strong currents subsequently carried her away, and he mislaid show of her,” constabulary said successful a statement.

After reaching shore, Hooker alerted personification about his wife’s disappearance early the pursuing day, according to authorities.

Hooker has denied immoderate wrongdoing successful narration to his wife’s disappearance, according to his lawyer, Terrel Butler.

Police successful the Bahamas released Hooker connected April 13 aft he had been successful constabulary custody since April 8, being questioned by authorities.

“Police wish to counsel the nationalist that the 58-year-old antheral of U.S. nationality who was taken into custody soon aft 7:00 p.m. connected Wednesday, 8th April 2026, successful Marsh Harbour, Abaco, has been released from constabulary custody,” the Royal Bahamas Police Force said successful a news release.

Police said the determination to merchandise Hooker was “made pursuing consultation pinch the Department of Public Prosecutions, which recommended that nary charges beryllium revenge astatine this clip pending the result of further investigations.”

“Police are appealing to members of the nationalist who whitethorn person accusation that whitethorn assistance pinch this investigation,” constabulary added successful the news release. “If you person applicable details, please interaction 911, 919, your nearest constabulary station, aliases the Criminal Investigation Department. Anonymous tips are besides welcomed done CRIME STOPPERS astatine 328-TIPS (8477).”

Hooker’s lawyer, Butler, told reporters soon earlier his release that “they had nary grounds and they had nary prime but to merchandise him. It’s unfortunate they had to exhaust the full investigative play to travel to the conclusion.”

Hooker issued a connection connected April 8, saying his wife’s disappearance near him “heartbroken.”

“I americium heartbroken complete the caller vessel mishap successful unpredictable seas and precocious winds that caused my beloved Lynette to autumn from our mini dinghy adjacent Elbow Cay successful the Bahamas,” Hooker wrote connected Facebook earlier his arrest. “Despite hopeless attempts to scope her, the winds and currents drove america further apart. We proceed to hunt for her and that is my sole focus.

“Our family is profoundly grateful for the Bahamian people’s assistance, particularly that of the Hopetown Volunteer Fire & Rescue team, Royal Bahamas constabulary force, Royal Bahamas Defense Force, and the US Coast Guard, who person worked tirelessly successful an ongoing effort to bring Lynette backmost to us.

“Thank you to everyone for keeping Lynette successful your thoughts and for your support of our family during this difficult time.”

The U.S. Coast Guard has opened an investigation abstracted from the 1 being conducted by the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

A U.S. State Department Level 2 travel advisory states that Americans should recreation pinch be aware successful the Bahamas, including successful tourer centres, wherever thefts and robberies do occur, and warns against moving betwixt islands by boat.

“Watercraft may not beryllium safe, and some operators are not licensed aliases insured,” the advisory says. “Watercraft operators sometimes disregard upwind forecasts. Always travel section upwind and marine alerts.”

The advisory besides warns that boating is not well-regulated successful the Bahamas and that injuries and deaths person occurred.

It further cautions against “swimming-related risks,” arsenic good arsenic intersexual assaults and equipped robberies.

— pinch files from BERITAJA’ Rachel Goodman and The Associated Press