Recently released bodycam footage captures the dramatic moment when the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service took control of Brian Hooker’s sailboat, named “Soulmate.” The vessel was on its way from the Bahamas back to the United States when it was seized in May.
The footage emerges in the wake of an extensive investigation into the mysterious disappearance of Lynette Hooker. She vanished during a vacation with her husband Brian Hooker in the Bahamas in April.
Lynette was last seen on April 4, while she was boating with her husband near Elbow Cay, situated in the Abaco Islands.
In their quest for answers, investigators scoured both the Sea of Abaco and the land around Hope Town, searching for clues regarding Lynette Hooker’s disappearance. (AJ Skuy for News Media)
In the bodycam footage dated May 9, it becomes evident that those tasked with transporting the boat were unaware that they might be ferrying a crucial piece of evidence in a significant investigation.
In an exchange with the movers, an officer says to them, “Right now the boat is being seized.”
“Oh —-,” the captain responds.
Earlier in the clip, an officer asks the captain, “How many people on board?” to which the captain, whose face is blurred, responds, “Just us two.”
The U.S. Coast Guard seized Brian Hooker’s sailboat ‘Soulmate’ as she was en route from the Bahamas back to the U.S. (DVIDS)
It appears from the video that Brian Hooker was not aboard his boat at the time of this seizure.
The officer also asks the men, “Are you guys headed to Saint Augustine,” to which the captain responds, “We are headed to Fernandina Beach. We’re moving it for the owner.”
The men are also asked by the Coast Guard if the boat’s owner will be meeting the boat movers at the planned location, to which the captain simply says, “I don’t think so, no.”
The U.S. Coast Guard seized Brian Hooker’s sailboat ‘Soulmate’ as it was being moved by boat movers from the Bahamas back to the U.S. (DVIDS)
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Brian has maintained that his wife fell from a dinghy at night and was swept away. Lynette’s body has not been recovered.
A USCGC Margaret Norvell (WPC-1105) boat crew and U.S. Coast Guard Divers search for a missing person during a CGIS investigation in the Bahamas, Jun. 3, 2026. The Coast Guard’s efforts were supported by the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, and K-9 Maggie from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. Coast Guard units included the Coast Guard Cutter Margaret Norvell (WPC-1105), home ported in Miami, Florida, and Coast Guard divers. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Riley Perkofski)
The U.S. Coast Guard traveled to the Bahamas last month to conduct a dive search in the Sea of Abaco and land search with the help of a cadaver dog to try and find any trace of Lynette.
U.S. Coast Guard Divers search for a missing person during a CGIS investigation in the Bahamas, Jun. 3, 2026. The Coast Guard’s efforts were supported by the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, and K-9 Maggie from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. Coast Guard units included the Coast Guard Cutter Margaret Norvell (WPC-1105), home ported in Miami, Florida, and Coast Guard divers. (.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo)
They returned to the U.S. with the dinghy Lynette was last seen on, which will be combed for clues.
The U.S. Coast Guard retrieved the dinghy used by Brian and Lynette Hooker the night she vanished in the Bahamas. (Obtained by News Media)
A family friend and advocate for Lynette described her as the kind of person who was always there for others.
An undated photo of missing Lynette Hooker (L) and a sailboat that the Coast Guard asked the public to help identify on May 5, 2026 in relation to her disappearance. (Brian Hooker/Facebook; U.S. Coast Guard)
“She’s the kind of person anybody would be happy to be around in any occasion,” the friend told News Media. “She’s the type of person after the party that sticks around to help clean up. She’s a person who shows up beforehand to help you set up. She is your go-to person when you need a friend.”
Lynette Hooker went missing after she fell off a small boat on Saturday evening. Her husband, Brian Hooker, reported her missing early Sunday morning. (Brian Hooker and Lynette Hooker/Facebook)
Brian has not been seen or heard from since returning to the U.S. after he was initially questioned and released by Bahamian authorities.
Brian Hooker leaves his hotel with lawyer, Terell A. Butler, in Freeport, The Bahamas, Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (Matthew Symons for News Media)
Brian Hooker has not been charged with any crime or accused of wrongdoing.