The U.S. Coast Guard has confiscated the dinghy associated with the disappearance of Lynette Hooker in the Bahamas. Her daughter, Karli Aylesworth, expressed hope as new areas are being searched for clues. Criminal defense attorney Donna Rotunno commented on the delay in the dinghy’s seizure, suggesting potential evidence could be compromised.
Lynette, from Michigan, vanished during an April vacation with her husband, Brian Hooker. The couple was near Elbow Cay in the Abaco Islands when she was reported missing on April 4. Brian Hooker claims Lynette fell from the dinghy at night, swept away by the current while they headed to their sailboat, Soulmate.
Lynette’s body has not been found.
Her mother, Darlene Hamlett, believes Lynette returned to Soulmate and foul play occurred. The Coast Guard has brought the sailboat back to the U.S. for investigation.
Hamlett shared her opinion with Fox News Digital, but details were limited due to investigations. I can only share what the Coast Guard allows,
she stated.
The U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service refrained from commenting as the investigation continues. Recently, the Coast Guard and the Royal Bahaman Police Force conducted searches in the Abaco area.
Investigators returned to the U.S. with the dinghy for further forensic analysis. Brian Hooker initially told authorities Lynette fell from it during a nighttime boat ride. He was forced to paddle back as Lynette had the ignition key. He shared his distress on Facebook, Heartbroken over the incident in harsh conditions that separated us,
he wrote.
Following questioning by Bahamian authorities, Brian Hooker was released and returned to the U.S. He remains uncharged and has not appeared publicly since.