The husband of a Michigan woman who went missing at sea in the Bahamas was released from custody, days after being apprehended by authorities in connection with her disappearance.
“They had no evidence, and they had no choice but to release them,” Terrel A. Butler, who is representing Brian Hooker, said at around 6:50 p.m. on Monday. “It’s unfortunate that they had to exhaust the entire investigative period to come to the conclusion. I’m still relieved that he will be released shortly.”
Butler said Brian Hooker was “very emotional” following his release.
“He was emotional,” the attorney said. “He was speaking to family, a family member, and so I’m just trying to get him somewhere where he could relax and destress from this horrible experience.”
Brian Hooker was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the disappearance of his wife, Lynette Hooker, 55. Butler previously said her client was interviewed by police, and the line of questioning suggested authorities are looking into a possible murder charge, NBC News reported.
Brian Hooker’s detention was extended until 7:20 p.m. local time Monday, but the deadline passed without authorities filing charges.
Butler said Brian Hooker denies any wrongdoing and claims made by Lynette Hooker’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, that it seemed unlikely that her mother would “just fall” overboard.
Aylesworth was quoted as saying that the couple’s relationship was volatile, and that they have a “history of not getting along, especially when they drink.”
The daughter of a missing woman whose husband claims fell overboard from a boat in the Bahamas told NBC 5 Investigates’ Bennett Haeberle that she has more concerns and questions than answers.
Aylesworth said her mother was experienced at sea, was in shape and less likely to fall overboard.
Lynette Hooker disappeared after her husband, Brian Hooker, said she fell overboard while they traveled in an 8-foot motor boat from Hope Town to Elbow Cay on Saturday, April 4. Brian Hooker told authorities his wife had the boat keys when she fell overboard, causing the engine to turn off and forcing him to paddle for hours to get to the shore.
“Strong currents subsequently carried her away, and he lost sight of her,” police said in a previous statement.
The couple, from Michigan, have been sailing for more than a decade, starting with a small two-person sailboat and moving to a larger vessel they bought in Texas, Aylesworth said.
