Coast Guard Reopens Search for Lynette Hooker After GPS Data Contradicts Husband, May 29

The U.S. Coast Guard has reopened its search for Lynette Hooker, 55, who disappeared in the Bahamas on April 4. GPS data from her husband Brian Hooker’s phone contradicts his account of where they were that night, causing investigators to search the wrong area initially. The Bahamian government has granted permission for U.S. divers to search previously unsearched waters up to 25 feet deep in the Sea of Abaco.

What Happened That Night

Brian Hooker told authorities that his wife fell from their 8-foot dinghy around 7:30 p.m. on April 4 as they traveled from Hope Town to Elbow Cay in rough waters. He said she fell overboard while holding the engine key, forcing him to paddle back to shore. He arrived at Marsh Harbour Boat Yard around 4 a.m. on April 5 and reported the incident to someone at the yard, who then called police. GPS data from a marine navigation app used during the dinghy ride contradicts his account of their location that evening.

Why the Search Shifted

GPS data from Brian Hooker’s phone showed a discrepancy between his initial account and the actual location data. This contradiction caused the Coast Guard to search in the wrong area of the Sea of Abaco during the initial operation. Federal investigators obtained the GPS information from the marine navigation app and used it to identify a new search zone in 25-foot-deep waters. The Bahamian government granted permission for U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service divers to canvass these previously unsearched areas.

The Investigation Expands

Brian Hooker was arrested on April 8 and released five days later without being charged. He has denied any wrongdoing. The FBI is processing evidence at its facility in Quantico, Virginia. Investigators seized the couple’s sailboat, the Soulmate, and discovered it contained an infrared camera capable of detecting heat radiation. Federal authorities are also seeking to identify occupants of a sailboat moored near the Soulmate in Aunt Pat’s Bay on the night Lynette disappeared.

Family Seeks Answers

Lynette’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, provided DNA samples to the Coast Guard on Wednesday to aid the investigation. Her grandmother, Darlene Hamlett, said authorities have not kept the family updated on the investigation. Nearly two months have passed since Lynette disappeared, and the search continues with the cooperation of Bahamian authorities and U.S. federal agencies.

Final Thoughts

GPS evidence contradicting Brian Hooker’s account has forced the Coast Guard to restart the search in new waters. With the FBI processing evidence and investigators seeking additional witnesses, the case remains active and unsolved nearly two months after Lynette’s disappearance.

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