A husband claims he is ‘heartbroken’ after his wife fell into the sea, but her daughter’s suspicion about the boat keys has raised new questions

Brian Hooker has finally spoken out, expressing his heartbreak over the disappearance of his wife, Lynette Hooker, at sea, just days after her daughter raised serious questions about his account of events. Brian took to Facebook on Wednesday, four days after Lynette reportedly fell from their small dinghy in the Bahamas while they were heading to their yacht on Saturday night.

According to New York Post, he wrote online, “I am heartbroken over the recent boat accident in unpredictable seas and high winds that caused my beloved Lynette to fall from our small dinghy near Elbow Cay in the Bahamas. Despite desperate attempts to reach her, the winds and currents drove us further apart. We continue to search for her, and that is my sole focus.” However, Lynette’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, isn’t buying Brian’s story.

She believes “something might have happened” to her mom, saying Lynette was an experienced mariner who wouldn’t just slip into the ocean. Aylesworth detailed a troubling history of Brian’s behavior towards her mother, revealing that he had allegedly choked Lynette and threatened to throw her overboard in the past. This reflects a dangerous escalation that can end in a fatal incident, similar to the report of a man who killed his wife. This makes the current situation even more suspicious in her eyes.

He says accident, but her daughter isn’t convinced at all

Aylesworth emphasized her desire for law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation, stating she doesn’t believe Brian’s version of events. She noted that the couple had a “history of not getting along, especially when they drink,” and described Brian’s demeanor after consuming alcohol as “smart-a***” and intentionally irritating. Bahamian authorities have stated that Lynette went into the water with the boat key, which cut off the engine.

She was then swept away by a strong current and out of her husband’s sight. This detail about the key, however, further baffled Aylesworth. She pointed out that Brian was always the one driving their dinghy, making him the usual custodian of the key. The fact that her mom had it just “doesn’t make any sense,” she said. Aylesworth also stressed that her mother wouldn’t typically lose her balance on a boat, adding to her suspicions.

The couple had left Hope Town after sunset on Saturday, aiming to reach Elbow Cay. Brian later paddled to the Marsh Harbour Boat Yard, arriving at 4:00 AM, before Lynette was reported missing. Karli also shared a voice note she received from her stepfather, Brian, amid the search. In the message, he said, “Hello, honey, it’s Dad. I just got a call from Hope Town Search and Rescue, and they found the flotation device that I threw to Mom when she fell overboard.”

Brian reportedly told officials that he last saw his wife swimming towards the shore. The search for Lynette has tragically transitioned into a recovery mission, and Aylesworth fears the worst. “The more time that goes on, the more I disbelieve that she will come back alive. I don’t think that you can tread water for that long,” she said, though she holds onto a glimmer of hope that “maybe she’s on a little island somewhere.”

Lynette and Brian had been documenting their adventures at sea on social media under the name The Sailing Hookers, often posting about having “sailed away from their BS” and living their best lives. Interestingly, just hours before Lynette’s disappearance, they shared a photograph of a small boat tied to a jetty in shallow water, captioned with the enigmatic question, “Not going anywhere for a while?!” It’s important to note that a criminal investigation has not yet been opened, and Brian has not been charged with any crime.

He also hasn’t commented directly on Aylesworth’s allegations regarding his past behavior.