Authorities in the Bahamas have arrested a 59-year-old U.S. man in connection with the disappearance of Lynette Hooker, an American woman who went missing while on a small boat near Elbow Cay in the Abaco Islands.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force confirmed the arrest on Wednesday but did not release the man’s name. U.S. media reports, including CBS News, indicate that the man is Lynette Hooker’s husband, Brian Hooker, who had been on the boat with her at the time of her disappearance.
Brian Hooker’s lawyer issued a statement saying he “categorically and unequivocally denies any wrongdoing” and noted that he has been cooperating with authorities as part of an ongoing investigation.
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that a criminal investigation has been opened into Hooker’s disappearance but declined to comment on specifics or potential suspects. Multiple agencies have been involved in the search for the woman.
According to Brian Hooker, Lynette went missing on Saturday after falling from their 8-foot (2.4m) hard-bottom dinghy, which was swept away by strong currents. Hooker said he paddled the vessel to shore and arrived at Marsh Harbour Boat Yard at around 4:00 a.m. local time on Sunday, reporting his wife missing.
“I am heartbroken over the recent boat accident in unpredictable seas and high winds that caused my beloved Lynette to fall from our small dinghy,” Hooker said in a statement Wednesday. “Despite desperate attempts to reach her, the winds and currents drove us further apart. We continue to search for her and that is my sole focus.”
Hooker’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, told CBS News that her mother had over ten years of sailing experience and was an accomplished swimmer. She expressed confusion over how the incident could have occurred and called for a thorough investigation.
The Royal Bahamas Police have not yet released further details regarding the arrest or the ongoing investigation.
