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A sailboat docked in Florida and a new section of water in the Sea of Abaco in The Bahamas will both be searched for any clues in the mysterious disappearance of Lynette Hooker.
The American woman vanished from The Bahamas last month, while on vacation with her husband Brian Hooker.
The Hookers lived on the now-docked sailboat named “Soulmate” and would often vacation on sailing excursions. Most recently, their April trip to The Bahamas ended in tragedy when Lynette disappeared.
Brian and Lynette Hooker have been married for around 25 years, family members said. (The Sailing Hookers/Youtube and Instagram)
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She vanished while the couple was reportedly riding back to their home boat on a dinghy in the Sea of Abaco after a night out.
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Once authorities seized the boat as it left The Bahamas, the U.S. Coast Guard docked “Soulmate” in Fort Pierce, Florida. Eventually, officials relocated the boat to a port in Fort Lauderdale.
The boat Soulmate is docked at the U.S. 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 brought back to the U.S. from The Bahamas by the Coast Guard. (Obtained by Digital)
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A U.S. official familiar with the investigation confirmed to Digital that, once pulled from the water, “Soulmate” will be taken to a warehouse to be combed for clues.
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“Any sort of digital devices that you can take, any computer systems that you can extract, anything of that sort,” will be taken in,” said Nicole Parker, former FBI special agent and contributor.
U.S. Coast Guard investigators search the boat Soulmate docked at their station in Fort Pierce, Fla., on May 13, 2026. The vessel belongs to Brian Hooker and his missing wife Lynette Hooker and was brought back to the U.S. from the Bahamas by the Coast Guard. (Obtained by Digital)
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On Thursday, Digital confirmed the Bahamian government approved the U.S. to send a dive team to search a new area in the Sea of Abaco.
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The dive team will be tasked with finding Lynette’s body or any new evidence.
The boat Soulmate, owned by Brian and Lynette Hooker, is docked in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas, on April 16, 2025. (Matthew Symons/NY Post)
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“Although it occurred in The Bahamas, you have to get permission from them. But, it doesn’t mean that he [suspect] can’t be charged,” Parker told Digital.
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Brian Hooker was initially detained, then released from Bahamian custody when Lynette was reported missing.
Brian Hooker leaves Central Police Station in Freeport, The Bahamas, after being released from custody on April 13, 2026. He was questioned about the disappearance of his wife, Lynette Hooker, who he says fell overboard from their dinghy earlier that month. (Matthew Symons for Digital)
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“The reason why we have the vested interest is because the suspect is Brian, and he’s a U.S. citizen. The victim is Lynette. She’s a U.S. citizen. The vessel in which they were on, when the incident occurred, is a U.S. vessel, and it’s flagged in the United States. That gives the United States jurisdiction,” Parker said.
The U.S. Coast Guard asked the public on May 5, 2026, to help identify a sailboat in connection with the disappearance of Lynette Hooker. (Brian Hooker/Facebook; U.S. Coast Guard)
In her experience, she has seen many cases where suspects commit crimes in international waters and try to get away with them — thinking they won’t get caught.
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“The important point is that many federal agencies are likely involved on this and that’s what law enforcement is all about, holding people accountable. It’s a team effort and many times people go on these trips and they think, ‘Oh nothing’s going to happen, I’m in a foreign country,’ and they are wrong,” Parker said.
Brian Hooker leaves Central Police Station after being released from custody, Freeport, The Bahamas, Monday, April 13, 2026 (L) and (R) his sailboat “Soulmate” in Florida. (Matthew Symons for Digital and provided to Digital)
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Brian Hooker has not been charged with any crime or accused of wrongdoing. His attorney could not be reached for comment after numerous attempts from Digital.
