Bahamas bartender raises doubts over Brian Hooker’s timeline in wife’s disappearance

FREEPORT, BAHAMAS: A bartender in the Bahamas has raised questions about the timeline surrounding the disappearance of an American woman, pointing to inconsistencies in her husband’s account of the incident.

Lynette Hooker was reported missing on April 4 after her husband, Brian Hooker, told authorities she fell off a dinghy near Elbow Cay. However, new statements from a witness and concerns raised by family members have cast doubt on that version of events as the investigation continues.

Timeline raises questions

A bartender at the Abaco Inn, identified as Ken, said he served Brian and Lynette Hooker at the hotel pool on April 3, where the couple spent about two and a half hours drinking, according to the New York Post.

Brian Hooker later told Bahamian officials that his wife fell overboard shortly after they left shore at around 7.30 pm on April 4, claiming she had the ignition key with her. Authorities said he reached a marina in Marsh Harbour at around 4 am on April 5 after paddling to shore.

Ken said one detail stood out as unusual. “It’s weird … for him to be going from here to there, then ending up in Marsh Harbour and nobody sees the lady, it’s weird,” he said. “What catches my eye is they left here at 7, 7:30, and [her going missing] supposedly happened right after they left here, and he didn’t make it over there until 4 a.m. or something like that, in 25-mph winds.”

He added that the distance should not have taken that long. “It’s only four miles that way. It shouldn’t have taken eight to 10 hours to get there. Even if he was only floating, it should have been a much quicker time.”

Family disputes account

Lynette Hooker’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, has also questioned Brian Hooker’s version of events. She traveled to the Bahamas to assist in the search and said she does not believe her mother’s disappearance was accidental.

Aylesworth also criticized her stepfather for leaving the Bahamas shortly after being released from police custody. Brian Hooker, who has not been charged with a crime, returned to the United States, citing his mother’s illness, according to his attorney.

Authorities in the Bahamas said the investigation into Lynette Hooker’s disappearance remains open. Police have not filed charges against Brian Hooker, and officials continue to examine the timeline and circumstances surrounding the incident.

Family members have continued searching for answers, with Aylesworth retracing the couple’s route between Hope Town and Marsh Harbour to determine what happened.