Sailboat is seized in the case of the missing women of the Bahamas to search for clues
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A sailboat anchored in Florida and a new body of water in the Sea of Abaco in the Bahamas will both be searched for clues to the mysterious disappearance of Lynette Hooker.
An American woman disappeared in the Bahamas last month, while on vacation with her husband Brian Hooker.
The Hokas lived on a docked boat called the “Soulmate” and often went on vacation on cruises. Most recently, their April trip to the Bahamas ended in tragedy when Lynette disappeared.
Brian and Lynette Hooker have been married for nearly 25 years, family members said. (Sailing Hookers/YouTube and Instagram)
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He disappeared while the couple were reportedly on their way home from a boat in the Sea of Abaco after a night out.
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When authorities seized the boat as it left the Bahamas, the US Coast Guard stopped the “Soulmate” in Fort Pierce, Florida. Eventually, officials moved the boat to the port of Fort Lauderdale.
The vessel Soulmate docks at the US Coast Guard station in Fort Pierce, Fla., on May 13, 2026. The vessel, owned by Brian Hooker and his missing wife Lynette Hooker, was reportedly returned to the US from the Bahamas by the Coast Guard. (Sourced by Fox News Digital)
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A US official familiar with the investigation confirmed to Fox News Digital that, once removed from the water, the “Soulmate” will be taken to a storage facility to be scanned for clues.
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“Any kind of digital devices you can take, any computer programs you can download, anything of that nature,” said Nicole Parker, a former FBI special agent and Fox News contributor.
US Coast Guard investigators search the vessel Soulmate docked at their station in Fort Pierce, Fla., May 13, 2026. The vessel belongs to Brian Hooker and his missing wife Lynette Hooker and was returned to the US from the Bahamas by the coast guard. (Sourced by Fox News Digital)
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On Thursday, Fox News Digital confirmed that the Bahamian government has authorized the US to send a dive team to search for a new location in the Sea of Abaco.
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The dive team will be tasked with finding Lynette’s body and any new evidence.
The yacht Soulmate, owned by Brian and Lynette Hooker, docked in Marsh Harbor, Bahamas, on April 16, 2025. (Matthew Symons/NY Post)
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“Even if it happens in the Bahamas, you have to get permission from them. But, it doesn’t mean that [suspect] it can’t be charged,” Parker told Fox News Digital.
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Brian Hooker was initially arrested, then released to Bahamian custody when Lynette was reported missing.
Brian Hooker leaves the Central Police Station in Freeport, Bahamas, after being released from custody on April 13, 2026. He was questioned about the disappearance of his wife, Lynette Hooker, who he said fell on top of their boat earlier that month. (Matthew Symons of Fox News Digital)
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“The reason why we are very interested is that the suspect is Brian, and he is an American citizen. The victim is Lynette. She is an American citizen. The ship they were on, when the incident happened, is a US ship, and it is flagged in the United States. That gives power to the United States,” said Parker.
The US Coast Guard asked the public on May 5, 2026, to help identify a boat in connection with the disappearance of Lynette Hooker. (Brian Hooker/Facebook; US Coast Guard)
In his experience, he has seen many cases where suspects commit crimes internationally and then try to escape – thinking they will not be caught.
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“The bottom line is that multiple federal agencies are probably involved in this and that’s what the law says, to hold people accountable. It’s a team effort and a lot of times people go on this trip and they think, ‘Well, nothing’s going to happen, I’m in a foreign country,’ and they’re wrong,” Parker said.
Brian Hooker leaves the Central Police Station after being released from custody, Freeport, The Bahamas, Monday, April 13, 2026 (L) and (R) with his sailboat “Soulmate” in Florida. (Matthew Symons for Fox News Digital and provided by Fox News Digital)
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Brian Hooker was never charged with a crime or accused of wrongdoing. His attorney could not be reached for comment after multiple attempts from Fox News Digital.
