Coast Guard Seeks Owner of Sailboat Near Missing Michigan Woman's Yacht in Bahamas

The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking public assistance to identify a sailboat moored near the yacht owned by Brian and Lynette Hooker on the night Lynette disappeared in the Bahamas.

More than a month after the 55-year-old woman's disappearance on April 4, the Coast Guard continues its investigation. Brian Hooker said his wife fell overboard from their eight-foot dinghy as the couple motored back to their yacht, Soulmate, off the coast of Elbow Cay around dusk. The Soulmate was moored in Aunt Pat's Bay near the island.

The couple had been drinking at the Abaco Inn and tried to return to the yacht despite high winds and choppy seas, which Brian said led to Lynette falling overboard.

The Coast Guard Investigative Service posted on X that it needs information about the disappearance of Lynette Hooker within Aunt Pat's Bay, Bahamas, on April 4. The post included grainy images of a nondescript sailboat and stated CGIS is looking for the owner of the sailboat moored near the SV Soulmate.

The Coast Guard asked people with information to submit tips through its phone application.

CBS obtained a Coast Guard memo on the search update. "The owners/occupants of the sailing vessel may have information relevant to the CGIS investigation," the memo said, according to CBS.

The Coast Guard declined further comment due to the ongoing investigation.

Brian, 58, was detained for five days by Bahamian police after his wife's disappearance. He faced no charges and was released from custody. He has denied any wrongdoing.

On April 13, after his release from Central Police Station in Freeport, Grand Bahama, Brian told reporters he would stay in the Bahamas to search for his wife. The next day, he returned to the United States.

If charged with a crime, he could face extradition to the Bahamas.

The Hookers lived in Michigan until retirement, when they moved onto their boat to pursue their dream of sailing in the tropics.

Crystal Houser, Brian's attorney in Michigan, ended a call with Fox News Digital on Wednesday morning. Fox News Digital also contacted the Royal Bahamian Police Force.