Daughter speaks out as Lenawee County mother goes missing in the Bahamas, father arrested

A Michigan woman with ties to Lenawee County is missing after disappearing at sea in the Bahamas, and her husband is now under arrest as investigators work to determine what happened.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force said Lynette Hooker vanished Saturday (April 4) while traveling by boat with her husband, Brian Hooker, from Hope Town to Elbow Cay.

Investigators said Brian told them his wife fell overboard with the boat’s keys, causing the engine to shut off.

According to police, Brian said strong currents carried her away, and he lost sight of her.

He also claimed he had paddled the vessel and reached shore the following morning.

After days of searching, police arrested Brian on Wednesday. April 8.

Details of the arrest have not been released, and the investigation is ongoing.

Hooker’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, has been posting on social media, urging people to help find her mother and sharing a GoFundMe to support the search.

“I’m still in a lot of shock, right now, that this is even a conversation,” Aylesworth said.

Aylesworth said her stepfather told her what happened about 24 hours after her mother disappeared, and she has not spoken with him since.

“He’s the one that told me this happened. I have not talked to him since. I don’t really feel comfortable at the moment until I find out more information on what happened to my mom,” Aylesworth said.

Aylesworth said her mother and stepfather had been together for about 25 years and described the relationship as “rocky at best.”

“There had been problems in their relationship in the past that makes this seem a little too fishy,” Aylesworth said.

Aylesworth also said she is concerned alcohol may have played a role, citing past issues when they drank.

“I just know that they fight more when they drink, that he did something that you can’t undo,” Aylesworth said.

In the GoFundMe description, Aylesworth said any funds would be used to support continued search efforts or to help cover funeral expenses if needed.

She said the U.S. Coast Guard is also involved, and she is trying to travel to the Bahamas to assist.

“We secretly hope that she’s on an island somewhere, just being happy,” Aylesworth said.

Brian’s attorney has said he is cooperating with investigators.