Brian Hooker’s stepmother, Donna Hooker, has alleged that her stepson “lied about everything” concerning the disappearance of his wife, Lynette Hooker. Donna Hooker made these statements during an appearance on the “Surviving the Survivor” podcast, expressing her determination to assist investigators looking into Lynette’s case.
Lynette Hooker, a 55-year-old mother from Michigan, was reported missing on April 4. Brian Hooker told Bahamian authorities that his wife fell from a dinghy while they were on a sailing trip aboard their sailboat, the “Soulmate.” Bahamian officials briefly detained Brian Hooker for questioning but released him; he returned to the United States in mid-April.
Donna Hooker, who was married to Brian Hooker’s late father for over 40 years, stated that she lived with her stepson during parts of his teenage years in the 1980s. She described him as an intelligent, quiet, and reserved individual who often stayed in his room. Over the years, she found it increasingly difficult to maintain contact with him. Donna Hooker last saw her stepson in April 2022 when he visited his father after the elder Hooker suffered a stroke.
She learned of Lynette’s disappearance from a relative in Texas who urged her to watch the news. According to reports, Brian Hooker’s sister, Jennifer, who had reportedly traveled to the Bahamas after Brian’s initial release, did not respond to multiple messages. The Tribune newspaper in Nassau reported that investigators have not contacted Donna Hooker, despite her having known Brian for decades and potentially offering valuable insight into the ongoing investigation.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Coast Guard Investigative Service, which is handling the investigation. Brian Hooker has not been accused of any wrongdoing. His attorney previously stated that he has been in contact with investigators. The investigation into Lynette Hooker's disappearance remains active.
![Stern view of the boat "Soulmate" with an American flag attached, floating in calm turquoise water.]( "The sailboat "Soulmate" was at the center of the investigation.")