The husband of a woman who went missing in the Bahamas has been released without charge – nationally
Police in the Bahamas have freed a Michigan man who said his wife disappeared after falling from a small boat into the waters near the island.
Brian Hooker, of Onsted in southern Michigan, has been in police custody since April 8 after being questioned by authorities.
“Police wish to inform the public that a 58-year-old US man who was arrested shortly after seven o’clock on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, has been released from police custody,” the Royal Bahamas Police Force said in a statement.
The police said the decision to release Hooker “was made following consultation with the Department of Public Prosecutions, which suggested that no charges be filed at this time pending the results of the ongoing investigation.”
“The police are appealing to members of the public who may have information that can help in this investigation,” the police said in a statement. “If you have relevant information, please contact 911, 919, your local police station, or the Criminal Investigation Department. Anonymous tips are also accepted through CRIME STOPPERS at 328-TIPS (8477).”
Hooker previously told police that his wife, Lynette Hooker, 55, fell overboard on the night of April 4 while they were traveling in a 2.4-meter boat from Hope Town to Elbow Cay, a group of small islands in the eastern Bahamas.
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He said Lynette had put the boat keys on her person when she got out of the boat, which caused the boat’s engine to shut down and she was forced to row ashore.
“He was swept away by strong floods, and he was never seen again,” said a police statement.
After reaching the beach, Hooker reported his wife’s disappearance to someone the next morning, according to authorities.
Hooker has denied any wrongdoing in connection with his wife’s disappearance, according to his attorney, Terrell Butler.
“They had no evidence and they had no choice but to release him. It’s unfortunate that they had to spend all the time of the investigation to come to a conclusion,” Butler told reporters shortly before Hooker’s release.
Hooker released a statement on April 8, saying his wife’s disappearance had left him “heartbroken”.
“I am saddened by the recent boating accident at sea that was unexpected and strong winds caused my beloved Lynette to fall from our small boat near Elbow Cay in the Bahamas,” Hooker wrote on Facebook before his arrest. “Despite the hard efforts to find him, the wind and storms separated us a lot.
“Our family is very grateful for the help of the Bahamian people, especially the Hopetown Volunteer Fire & Rescue team, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Royal Bahamas Defense Force, and the US Coast Guard, who have worked tirelessly in the ongoing effort to bring Lynette back to us.
“Thank you to everyone for keeping Lynette in your thoughts and for your support of our family during this difficult time.”
The US Coast Guard has opened a separate investigation from the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
In an interview last week, Karli Aylesworth, Lynette’s daughter, told NBC News that her mother was an experienced sailor, making it difficult for her to “just fall” overboard.
He also said that the couple were chaotic and had a history of quarreling, especially when they drank alcohol.
The couple, both sailors with years of experience, documented their trip on social media as “The Sailing Hookers.”
Aylesworth created a GoFundMe page to help “find and honor my missing mother.”
“In memory of my mother. She is currently missing in the Bahamas. This is to help find her or to help lay her to rest. Anything that can help. My email is my first and last name at gmail, if anyone knows, please let me know,” the fundraising page’s description reads.
As of Tuesday morning, the GoFundMe page has raised more than US$8,000 of its $18,000 goal.
In an update on Sunday, Aylesworth said he was heading to the Bahamas on Wednesday.
The US State Department’s travel advisory says Americans should travel with caution in the Bahamas, including tourist areas, where theft and robbery are common, and warns against inter-island travel by boat.
“Water boats may not be safe, and some operators are not licensed or insured,” the advisor said. “Watercraft operators sometimes ignore weather forecasts. Always follow local weather and ocean warnings.”
The advisory also warns that boating is not well regulated in the Bahamas and that injuries and deaths have occurred.
It also warns of “dangers associated with swimming,” as well as sexual harassment and armed robbery.
– With files from Global News by Rachel Goodman and The Associated Press
© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
