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US Coast Guard Seeks Information on Sailboat Near SV Soulmate on Night Lynette Hooker Disappeared
The US Coast Guard Investigative Service announced Tuesday it is seeking public tips to identify the owner of a sailboat moored near the SV Soulmate on the night Lynette Hooker vanished near Aunt Pat’s Bay. Brian Hooker, 59, told authorities his wife, 55, fell from an 8-foot dinghy in rough waters near Elbow Cay. Family members have raised prior allegations of violence against him.
May 6, 8:59 AM·1m read2 sources
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The US Coast Guard Investigative Service announced it is seeking the public’s help to identify the owner or occupants of a sailboat that was moored near the Hookers’ 45-foot vessel, SV Soulmate, near Aunt Pat’s Bay on the evening of April 4. The agency released photos of the sailboat and asked anyone with information about its owner or occupants, or any details related to Lynette Hooker’s disappearance, to submit tips through the CGIS Tips app.
Brian Hooker, 59, told authorities that his wife, Lynette Hooker, 55, fell overboard from an 8-foot dinghy while the couple was returning to the SV Soulmate in rough waters near Elbow Cay. According to Brian Hooker, Lynette fell with the dinghy’s keys in her possession; he lost sight of her and paddled back to shore.
The couple had been married for 25 years. Investigators have searched areas beyond the route Brian Hooker described to authorities. Brian Hooker was detained by Bahamian authorities in connection with the disappearance and was released after no charges were filed against him. He left the Bahamas one day after stating his focus was on finding his wife, citing a family emergency.
No publicly released evidence has documented foul play in Lynette Hooker’s disappearance. Brian Hooker has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and asserted in an interview with NBC News that he would never harm his wife.
