Brian Hooker falls overboard while handcuffed by Bahamas police amid wife's disappearance

Brian Hooker, husband of missing American Lynette Hooker, fell off a police boat while handcuffed during transport in the Bahamas. He was rescued wearing a life vest; a US Coast Guard criminal investigation is now open.

Husband of missing American falls from police boat while in handcuffs

Brian Hooker, arrested in connection with the disappearance of his wife Lynette Hooker in the Bahamas, fell overboard from a police vessel on Wednesday while being transported in handcuffs, abc3340.com reports.

His attorney, Terrel Butler, told Fox News that rough weather prevented Hooker from holding on to the boat, causing him to go overboard. He was wearing a life vest and was pulled from the water by police. Butler said Hooker is suffering from knee pain and abrasions and will be taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Police have not confirmed whether Hooker has been formally charged. The U.S. Coast Guard told the Associated Press it has opened a criminal investigation into the case.

Butler said Hooker has since been moved to the Grand Bahama Police Station in Freeport and is cooperating with authorities. He "categorically and unequivocally denies any wrongdoing" in his wife's disappearance, she said. Authorities have until 7:20 p.m. Friday to file charges, release him, or request an extension of his detention.

Lynette Hooker, 55, went missing Saturday after reportedly falling overboard from a dinghy, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force. Brian Hooker told police the couple was travelling from Hope Town to Elbow Cay when she fell overboard along with the boat keys, causing the engine to shut off. He said strong currents carried her away and that he lost sight of her before paddling to shore.

Hooker later addressed the incident publicly in a Facebook post, writing that he is "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." He added: "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."

The U.S. State Department said it is working with Bahamian authorities to assist. The Bahamas currently operates under a Level 2 travel advisory, cautioning visitors to exercise increased caution. The advisory notes that boating "is not well regulated" and that "injuries and deaths have occurred."

The couple's joint Instagram account, "The Sailing Hookers," last posted on April 3 — an image of a boat stuck in the water captioned: "Not going anywhere for a while?!"

Source: Google News BS — Crime