Brian Hooker, the husband who reported his Lenawee County wife missing after she fell overboard during a boating trip in the Bahamas, has been released from police custody, per NBC News, though authorities say he remains a suspect in the ongoing investigation.
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NBC News said Hooker did not respond to reporters’ questions as he left the central police station in Grand Bahama with Butler, who described him as “very emotional” and in need of time to recover from the experience.
Hooker had been taken into custody on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, days after telling authorities his wife, Lynette Hooker, 55, fell from a dinghy on April 4.
NBC News reported that Brian said Lynette went overboard with the vessel’s key, forcing him to paddle from Elbow Cay to a marina in Marsh Harbour, where he alerted police.
Shanta Knowles, commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, told NBC News that authorities decided to release Hooker after consulting with prosecutors.
Knowles said he remains a suspect as the investigation continues and that officials are still working to locate Lynette.
Butler told NBC News that police did not present any new evidence during a follow-up interview with her client on Monday, which lasted less than an hour.
She described to NBC News that the questioning was largely repetitive of prior interviews.
On April 10, Brian was questioned for more than three hours about his relationship with his wife, and whether he had caused her harm, Butler said, per NBC News.
Lynette’s body has been recovered, and authorities have not confirmed her death.
Brian has denied any wrongdoing.
Search efforts for Lynette, per NBC News, have continued for more than a week.
Origin Deleveaux of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force told NBC News crews are searching by land, air, and sea, despite challenging weather conditions, including strong winds and rough waters.
Family members have raised questions about Brian’s account.
--> Daughter speaks out as Lenawee County mother goes missing in the Bahamas, father arrested
Lynette’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.
In a statement released to NBC News, Butler said Hooker “categorically and unequivocally denies any wrongdoing,” including allegations raised by Aylesworth.
Aylesworth has said the couple had a history of conflict, particularly when drinking, but noted both were experienced boaters who had spent more than a decade sailing together.
Both Brian and Lynette have had prior legal issues in Michigan.
Court records show Brian Hooker was acquitted of a child abuse charge in 2006. Lynette Hooker was arrested in 2015 on assault-related charges, though a warrant was denied due to insufficient evidence.
In a recorded phone call shared publicly, a man identified as Brian described the night of the incident, saying his wife fell from the dinghy amid strong winds and choppy waters shortly before sunset.
Brian said neither was wearing a life jacket and described the incident as a “cascade of failures.”
Authorities have not confirmed those details and continue to investigate.