Mother of missing American woman seeks answers following husband's Bahamas arrest

The mother of Lynette Hooker, an American woman who vanished from an eight-foot dinghy in the Abaco Islands, is demanding transparency following the arrest of her daughter's husband.

Brian Hooker was detained by the Royal Bahamas Police Force on Wednesday in Marsh Harbour.

He told authorities that his wife fell overboard during a late-night trip on 4 April, taking the boat keys with her and causing the engine to fail.

Despite his claims that strong currents swept her away, the U.S. Coast Guard has officially opened a criminal investigation into the matter.

Lynette’s mother, Darlene Hamlett, spoke to reporters on Thursday, supporting claims made by her granddaughter regarding a history of "previous violence" in the couple's two-decade marriage.

Court records reveal that Brian Hooker was acquitted of a child abuse charge in Michigan in 2006, and the couple were involved in mutual assault allegations in 2015. "Everything you've heard about him, he looks sweet as pie, but he's not," Hamlett stated.

The couple, residents of Onsted, Michigan, are well-known in the maritime community for their YouTube channel, The Sailing Hookers, which documented their global voyages.

Defending her client, attorney Terrel A. Butler "categorically and unequivocally" denied any wrongdoing on Brian's part. Butler argued that past incidents have no bearing on the current disappearance, noting that Brian remains the only witness to the event.

Meanwhile, search efforts involving the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and local volunteers continue in the waters near Elbow Cay.

No formal charges have been filed against Brian Hooker as he remains in custody for questioning, while the family awaits further information on Lynette’s whereabouts.