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The daughter of Lynette Hooker, who vanished mysteriously at sea in the Bahamas, has accused her mother’s husband, Brian Hooker, of past abuse. Brian, however, refutes these claims.
“I fully reject the accusations put forth by Karli Aylesworth,” Brian stated in an email to the Daily Beast. “I have sought legal counsel from Terrel Butler and, following her advice, will refrain from further public comments due to the ongoing investigation.”
Terrel Butler, representing Brian, mentioned that she is unable to discuss the case at the moment.
“The investigation is still active, and I have yet to receive instructions from my client,” Butler explained. “I prefer not to make any statements without having a complete understanding of the situation.”
On April 8, Lynette’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, revealed to Fox News that she believes Brian had previously mistreated her mother.
“I do believe something might have happened to her,” Karli told the outlet. “There’s history of him choking her out and threatening to throw her overboard. The fact that this is actually happening makes me believe there’s more to the story.”
Brian did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Oxygen. Meanwhile, on April 7, local authorities told People that no foul play is suspected and according to CBS News, Brian has not been charged with a crime in the Bahamas.
Karli is calling for a full investigation, according to People, including with the help of the U.S. government.
According to a press release from the Royal Bahamas Police Force, which did not identify Lynette or Brian by name, a woman went missing on April 4 during a nighttime boat ride from Hope Town to Elbow Cay with her husband. The man, per the release, reportedly told police that his wife went overboard with the boat keys and was swept away by a strong current. When the engine of the 8-foot dinghy shut down due to the lost keys, the man paddled to shore where he reported his wife missing.
The Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association has joined the investigation, read an updated press release, alongside the police, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, Hope Town Fire & Rescue and the United States Coast Guard, using drone technology and professional divers.
Richard Cook, a spokesperson for Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue, told People on April 7 that authorities “don’t suspect foul play at the moment.”
“It was just a lot of bad decisions,” he told the outlet. “Nighttime, very windy, no moon out yet so it was pitch dark and very rough conditions for the small boat they were in.” According to Cook, search efforts have pivoted to recovery.
Karli also questioned the logistics of the case.
“It just doesn’t add up,” she told Fox News. “My mom is very fit and strong. She’s a good swimmer—why was she swimming away from the boat? Why did she have the key? The story just does not make sense to me.”
Karli said it was unlikely that her mom kept the keys as she never drove the boat, telling the outlet, “It was always Brian.”
Brian reportedly spoke out in an April 8 Facebook post that was quoted in the New York Post.
“I am heartbroken over the recent boat accident in unpredictable seas and high winds that caused my beloved Lynette to fall from our small dinghy near Elbow Cay in the Bahamas,” the post reads. “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 also reportedly left Karli a voicemail in which he explained how he attempted to help her mom.
“Hello, honey, it’s Dad. I just got a call from Hope Town Search and Rescue,” Brian reportedly said in the message published by CBS News, “and they found the flotation device that I threw to mom when she fell overboard.”
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