As the search continues for Lynette Hooker, 56, of Onsted, who went missing in the Bahamas on Saturday, April 4, her husband, who was with her at the time, has issued a statement saying the situation has left him “heartbroken.”
“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, ” Brian Hooker, 58, of Onsted, said on Facebook.
Brian Hooker said his family is deeply grateful to the Bahamian people and U.S. Coast Guard assistance.
He said authorities have worked “tirelessly in an ongoing effort to bring Lynette back to us.”
Lynette Hooker went missing at sea while traveling from Hope Town to Elbow Cay, according to a news release from the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
Brian Hooker told police that he and his wife departed Hope Town at 7:30 p.m. in a 8-foot dinghy en route to Elbow Cay. During the journey, his wife reportedly fell overboard with the boat keys, causing the engine to shut off.
As strong currents carried her away, he lost sight of her and paddled the vessel to shore.
Brian reportedly arrived at the Marsh Harbour Boat Yard around 4 a.m. Sunday, April 5, where he informed an individual who then alerted police.
Lynette Hooker’s daughter, Karli Aylseworth told “Good Morning America” she “was not feeling optimistic” during an interview that aired Tuesday, April 7. She added she was “just sitting there in shock” when Brian Hooker called to tell her that Lynette was missing.
Aylesworth, of Lowell, has started a gofundme to support the efforts to find her mother.
“Memorial for my mom. She is currently missing in the Bahamas. This is to help the search for her or to help lay her to rest. Anything would help. My email is my first and last name at gmail, if you know anything, please let me know,” Aylesworth wrote.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Husband ‘heartbroken’ after wife goes missing in Bahamas. What he said
Reporting by Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
