When Lynette Hooker was reported missing on April 5, her husband, Brian Hooker, told police that she had fallen overboard while they were on a boat trip in the Bahamas. But days later, he was taken into custody — raising new questions about what happened to the Michigan mom at sea.
Brian’s lawyer, Terrel A. Butler, said in a statement to PEOPLE that he “categorically and unequivocally denies any wrongdoing” and “has been cooperating with the relevant authorities” since his wife disappeared.
Though it’s unclear why he was arrested, Lynette’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, previously claimed that “prior issues” were brought to her attention.
“If this truly was an accident, I can understand and live with it,” Aylesworth said in a statement to PEOPLE. “However, there needs to be an intensive review of the facts and circumstances of this tragic incident before that can be determined.”
At the time, Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue team leader Richard Cook told PEOPLE that officials “don’t suspect foul play at the moment.” Brian, through his lawyer, also explicitly rejected Aylesworth’s allegations.
So, what happened to Lynette Hooker? Here’s everything to know about the mom who went missing at sea, and why her husband was arrested.
Lynette Hooker reportedly fell overboard in the late hours of April 4
Brian told the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) that he and Lynette left Hope Town in the Bahamas in a small, 8-foot dinghy on April 4, around 7:30 p.m. local time, heading toward their yacht in Elbow Cay. According to his account, she fell overboard during rough weather.
“It was just a lot of bad decisions,” Cook told PEOPLE days later. “Night time, very windy, no moon out yet so it was pitch dark and very rough conditions for the small boat they were in.”
Aylesworth said on CNN News Central that the couple had been married for almost 25 years and that they “always wanted to sail the Bahamas.”
Brian claimed “strong currents” carried her away
Lynette reportedly had the boat keys with her when she fell into the water, which caused the engine to shut off, per Brian’s account to RBPF. He said he lost sight of his wife after “strong currents subsequently carried her away.”
With his vessel inoperable, Brian then drifted for four miles until he arrived at Marsh Harbor, at which point he made his way through the bush to the Marsh Harbor Boat Yards at 4 a.m. on April 5, per CNN. He then alerted the police.
Her daughter claimed that Brian threatened to “throw” Lynette overboard in the past
During an April 2026 interview with NBC News, Aylesworth opened up more about her mother’s allegedly volatile relationship and how they had what she described as a “history of not getting along, especially when they drink.”
She also claimed that Brian had been violent with Lynette in the past, telling Fox & Friends that he even allegedly threatened “to throw her overboard.”
“I do believe something might have happened to her,” Aylesworth said on Fox & Friends. “There’s history of them choking her out and threatening to throw her overboard. So the fact that this is actually happening makes me believe there’s more to the story.”
Lynette’s daughter also questioned details in Brian’s version of events, including how he allegedly told police that he saw his wife swimming to shore, which CNN reported.
“My mom is very fit and strong. She’s a good swimmer,” Aylesworth said. “Like, why was she swimming away from the boat? Why did she have the key? It just … the story just does not make sense to me.”
Brian has denied the allegations that Aylesworth made to various media outlets, including the allegations of violence.
Citing a police report, NBC News reported that in February 2015, the couple accused each other of assault while they were allegedly both intoxicated. The police said Brian claimed that Lynette hit him in the face multiple times during an altercation, and she alleged that he choked and punched her.
Though Lynette was arrested on charges of assault and battery/simple assault, the warrant was later denied due to “insufficient evidence as to who started the assault,” per the police report.
Brian was arrested on April 8
Three days after his wife was reported missing, Brian’s lawyer confirmed that Brian was arrested by RBPF in connection with his wife’s disappearance, per NBC News.
He’s not been formally charged with a crime and has maintained his innocence, according to his lawyer.
“The previous history does not have anything to do with what actually took place on that day,” Butler told PEOPLE, referencing Aylesworth’s allegations about the couple’s past.
He continued, “He’s the only witness to what transpired, and he has said he has done nothing wrong, so to refer to allegations of abuse or a tumultuous relationship does not explain what happened on the day or indicate whether or not he was somehow culpable for anything that may have happened to her.”