The U.S. Coast Guard has deployed divers to the Bahamas to conduct an underwater search for Lynette Hooker, a 55-year-old American woman who disappeared in April. The Coast Guard Cutter Margaret Norvell arrived in Hope Town on Tuesday evening, carrying a diving crew tasked with scouring a new area approximately 7.6 meters deep in the Sea of Abaco.
According to Fox News, the vessel departed from Miami and was spotted docking near the Abaco Inn. Crew members unloaded equipment before heading back out to sea. The search effort follows the launch of a federal criminal investigation into Hooker's disappearance, as confirmed by a U.S. official speaking to CNN.
Disappearance and Initial Investigation
Lynette Hooker, a mother and experienced sailor, went missing on April 4 while sailing near Elbow Cay in the Abaco Islands with her husband, Brian Hooker. Brian initially told authorities that his wife fell from an eight-foot dinghy while navigating rough waters. Three days after her disappearance, the Coast Guard announced a federal investigation.
Recent developments have revealed inconsistencies between Brian's location data and his statements to authorities regarding where to search for Lynette and where they had been traveling, according to CNN. The Royal Bahamas Police Force granted the Coast Guard permission to search the designated area.
Investigators have collected additional evidence, and Hooker's daughter, Karli Aylesworth, told CNN that authorities requested DNA samples from her mother's relatives.
Husband Questioned and Released
Bahamian police arrested Brian Hooker on suspicion of involvement in his wife's disappearance. He was questioned multiple times but was released without charges and has since returned to the United States. Brian maintains his innocence.
The Michigan couple had sailed together for over a decade, documenting their adventures on social media. They were traveling through the Bahamas on their yacht, "Soulmate," when Lynette vanished.
Family and Friends Remember Hooker
A family friend described Hooker as a dependable and caring person. "She's the kind of person anybody would be happy to be around in any occasion," the friend told Fox News. "She's the type of person after the party that sticks around to help clean up. She is your go-to person when you need a friend."
Karli Aylesworth expressed skepticism about her stepfather's account, noting that her mother was an experienced sailor and capable swimmer, unlikely to be swept away by strong currents.
The investigation continues as the Coast Guard searches for answers in this troubling case.
