Months after Lynette Hooker disappeared in the Bahamas, her mother, Darlene Hamlett, has publicly stated her belief that her daughter was a victim of foul play and had returned to the couple's sailboat, the "Soulmate," before vanishing. This assertion challenges the narrative presented by Lynette's husband, Brian Hooker.
Lynette Hooker, a Michigan resident, was reported missing on April 4 after going overboard near Elbow Cay in the Abaco Islands while vacationing with her husband. Brian Hooker has consistently maintained that his wife fell from a small dinghy at night and was carried away by the current as they were traveling to their sailboat. Lynette's body has not been recovered.
Hamlett told Fox News Digital that she believes her daughter had made it back to the "Soulmate" before she disappeared. While declining to provide specific details on how she reached this conclusion, Hamlett indicated that she is limited in what she can publicly disclose, stating, "As a mother, it’s taking longer than I would anticipate, but that’s what the Coast Guard told me to say. That’s all I’m saying."
The U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service has declined to comment on Hamlett's claims, citing an ongoing investigation. Fox News Digital's attempts to reach Brian Hooker's attorney for comment were not immediately successful.
Recent investigative efforts by the U.S. Coast Guard included dive searches in the Sea of Abaco and land searches assisted by a cadaver dog, aimed at locating Lynette. Investigators also took possession of the dinghy Lynette was last seen on, which is expected to undergo further forensic examination for potential evidence.
According to authorities, Brian Hooker initially informed investigators that he and his wife were on a nighttime boat excursion when Lynette fell from the dinghy. He also stated that he had to paddle back to shore because Lynette was carrying the dinghy's ignition key when she went overboard.
Following Lynette's disappearance, Brian Hooker posted on Facebook expressing his heartbreak over the incident, describing it as a "boat accident in unpredictable seas and high winds." He stated that despite his attempts to reach her, the conditions separated them and that his sole focus was on the search for his wife.
Brian Hooker was questioned by Bahamian authorities and subsequently released before returning to the United States. He has not been charged with any crime or formally accused of wrongdoing. ![The "Soulmate" anchored in the Bahamas after Lynette Hooker's disappearance.]( "The "Soulmate" anchored in the Bahamas after Lynette Hooker's disappearance.")