The mother of Lynette Hooker, a Michigan woman who disappeared in the Bahamas in April, has voiced her belief that her daughter made it back to the couple's sailboat before she vanished, alleging foul play. Darlene Hamlett stated that she believes "foul play" occurred, directly challenging her son-in-law Brian Hooker's account of the events.
Lynette Hooker was reported missing on April 4 near Elbow Cay in the Abaco Islands. Her husband, Brian Hooker, has maintained that his wife fell from their dinghy at night and was swept away by the current while they were en route to their sailboat, named "Soulmate." Lynette Hooker's body has not been recovered.
"She made it back to the boat, and there was foul play," Hamlett told Fox News Digital. While she did not elaborate on the specifics of her conclusion, Hamlett indicated that she has been advised by the U.S. Coast Guard to limit public statements. The U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service declined to comment on Hamlett's claims, citing an ongoing investigation.
U.S. Coast Guard investigators recently traveled to the Bahamas to conduct dive and land searches, utilizing a cadaver dog in their efforts to locate Lynette Hooker. The dinghy Lynette was last known to be on was returned to the United States by the Coast Guard and is expected to undergo further forensic examination.
Brian Hooker initially told investigators that he and his wife were on a nighttime boat ride when Lynette fell from the dinghy. He stated that he had to paddle back to shore because Lynette was carrying the dinghy's ignition key when she went overboard. Following her disappearance, Brian Hooker posted on Facebook that he was heartbroken by the "boat accident in unpredictable seas and high winds."
After being questioned and released by Bahamian authorities, Brian Hooker returned to the United States. He has not been charged with a crime or accused of wrongdoing in connection with his wife's disappearance. The U.S. Coast Guard has seized the dinghy involved in the incident. Lynette's daughter, Karli Aylesworth, has expressed gratitude for the expanded search efforts.
Criminal defense attorney Donna Rotunno commented on the delay in seizing the dinghy, noting the potential for evidence to be compromised. Images of the sailboat "Soulmate" and the dinghy have been released, some showing the vessel docked at a U.S. Coast Guard station and others depicting Brian and Lynette Hooker in happier times. The U.S. Coast Guard released video of the seizure of the sailboat. 
