A friend of Brian Hooker revealed to Fox News Digital that Hooker had a high-tech thermal camera worth $33,000 on his boat but did not use it to search for his wife, who went missing under mysterious circumstances.
On April 4, Hooker reported to authorities that his wife fell off their dinghy due to rough waters while leaving Hope Town in the Bahamas around 7:30 p.m. He reached Marsh Harbour at approximately 4 a.m. the following day after paddling to shore. The couple, who live full-time on their sailboat in retirement, were traveling back to their vessel when Lynette allegedly fell overboard. They often sail around the U.S. and Caribbean, as seen on their social media.
Friend Daniel Danforth told Fox News Digital about the advanced camera system on the Hookers’ boat, “Soulmate.” The system, known as a FLIR (Forward-Looking Infrared) camera, features night vision and can detect heat signatures. Danforth mentioned that Brian Hooker once praised the system for its safety features, citing an instance where the system automatically tracked Lynette walking down a dock due to her heat signature.
The U.S. Coast Guard is actively investigating the disappearance. They seized “Soulmate” between May 8 and 10 after Danforth informed them about the thermal camera in early May. The camera could contain valuable data.
Brian Hooker reportedly sent a message to Danforth on April 6, saying Lynette “swam towards the sailboat” after she fell off. He contacted the Coast Guard, who were unaware of the camera’s existence prior to Danforth’s tip. Coast Guard investigators are now considering retrieving data from the camera.
Brian Hooker returned to the U.S. to care for his ill mother after being in police custody for five days. His attorney emphasized the importance of giving him the benefit of the doubt, stating that everyone handles difficult situations differently.
Lynette Hooker, a 56-year-old American, disappeared after falling overboard during their Bahamas trip, according to local officials. Brian Hooker’s attorney urges understanding and fair treatment of Hooker during this investigation.