Man arrested in disappearance of American woman in the Bahamas

The Royal Bahamas Police Force said Wednesday it has taken a man into custody in relation to the disappearance of an American woman who allegedly fell into the water during a boat ride over the weekend. 

The police did not identify the man who is in custody or the woman who disappeared, but her husband, Brian Hooker, identified the woman as Lynette Hooker. She allegedly fell overboard on a dinghy ride from Hope Town to Elbow Cay.

The police said the man was being questioned after being taken into custody shortly after 7 p.m. Wednesday in Marsh Harbour, a town on Abaco Islands, according to NBC News.

The update comes after the United States Coast Guard opened a criminal investigation into Lynette Hooker's disappearance. Her daughter, Karli Aylesworth, allegedly questioned the narrative that her mother fell overboard given her experience boating. Brian Hooker, who was on the boat ride as well, described the waters as rough.

“[I am] heartbroken over the recent boat accident in unpredictable seas and high winds that caused my beloved Lynette to fall," Brian Hooker said on Facebook Wednesday. “Despite desperate attempts to reach her, the winds and currents drove us further apart. We continue to search for her and that is my sole focus.”

Brian Hooker told authorities that his wife had the keys to the boat when she fell overboard and that made the boat's engine turn off and forced him to paddle hours to Marsh Harbor Boat Yard. 

It was not immediately clear what charges the man in custody is expected to face.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.