Husband of Michigan woman missing in the Bahamas leaves country, lawyer says

The husband of a Michigan woman who was reportedly swept out to sea in the Bahamas has left the nation, his lawyer informed NBC News.

Brian Hooker left “because his mom is very ill,” however he plans on returning to the islands, lawyer Terrel Butler mentioned Wednesday.

His lawyer mentioned Brian Hooker left on a industrial flight however wouldn’t disclose his vacation spot.

Officials are nonetheless trying to find Brian Hooker’s spouse, Lynette Hooker, after she vanished on the night of April 4. He informed police that she fell off their dinghy into the water whereas they had been touring from Hope Town to Elbow Cay, in keeping with police.

He mentioned his spouse had the keys to the dinghy when she fell, which brought about its engine to close off. He paddled for hours earlier than making it to Marsh Harbor Boat Yard, the place somebody referred to as the police, he informed authorities.

Brian Hooker, 58, was taken into custody last week and was launched Monday evening.

“Following his release from custody without charge, Mr. Hooker is now facing another emergency. In addition to the trauma of his wife of 25 years being missing, Mr. Hooker has received urgent word of his mother’s serious illness,” Butler mentioned in an announcement. “He has traveled to [the] United States of America to be at her bedside during this critical time.”

Butler mentioned the police have been knowledgeable.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark Wednesday.

Hours after he was launched by police, Brian Hooker told NBC News that he “would never harm” his spouse and his focus was on discovering her.

He has additionally denied claims from Lynette Hooker’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, who mentioned she would not suppose her mom’s disappearance is an accident.

Aylesworth informed NBC News earlier this month that she had “a hard time believing” her mom fell off the boat.

“It’s hard to see the people you’ve grown up with and care about possibly doing something like this. I just want to know the truth,” she mentioned.

In 2015, Lynette Hooker was arrested on charges of assault and battery/simple assault. The warrant was denied for “insufficient evidence as to who started the assault.” According to a Michigan police report from that evening, she and her husband accused one another of assault.

Royal Bahamas Police Commissioner Shanta Knowles beforehand mentioned that authorities launched him after assembly with prosecutors however that he remained a suspect in the investigation.

This article was initially revealed on NBCNews.com