Husband of Missing American Woman Still in Custody

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GRAND BAHAMA , BAHAMAS – An American woman missing at sea in The Bahamas is making headlines locally and internationally, as the search for Lynette Hooker continues.

Earlier this week, her husband, Brian Hooker, was arrested by officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force in connection with his wife’s disappearance.

Currently, Hooker remains in police custody as a magistrate granted a 72-hour extension.

Brian Hooker was taken into custody on Wednesday, just days after reporting that his wife, Lynette Hooker, went overboard while the couple was near Elbow Cay, Abaco.

He claimed she fell from their vessel on Saturday night, saying the incident left him stranded without the keys to their small dinghy, forcing him to paddle to Marsh Harbor and arrive at the boat yard on Sunday morning.

On Friday, Hooker remained in police custody, reportedly being questioned for more than three hours in Grand Bahama.

We spoke with Hooker’s attorney, Terrel Butler, outside the Central Police Station Friday afternoon.

Terrel Butler – Attorney

“It is possible if they don’t release him that he may be here for the weekend and if he is charged it is possible he may attend court on Monday”

According to Section 17 of the Criminal Procedure Code, suspects may be detained for a maximum of 48 hours to allow for investigations prior to formal charges being laid.

However, under Section 19 of the Criminal Procedure Code, a magistrate can authorize further detention for up to 72 hours.

Butler confirmed with our news Saturday morning that an extension was granted on Friday, allowing police more time to continue questioning.

Terrel Butler – Attorney

“They went into intensive questioning, talking about their personal life before what people said, just general information about their relationship when they came here, just general information. It wasn’t until really near to the end that they got into the specifics, and of course he was confronted with the allegations from his stepdaughter, and he indicated that, as I had mentioned previously, he alleges that she has a mental history and that she’s been institutionalized on several occasions.”

Investigators have not announced any formal charges in the case.

Police said that the investigation remains active as they continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding Lynette Hooker’s disappearance at sea.