An American lady is lacking within the Bahamas after she reportedly went overboard whereas touring on a dinghy and powerful currents carried her out to sea, in line with police.
The girl and her husband had departed Hope City on the Abaco Islands for Elbow Cay round 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, in line with the Royal Bahamas Police Power.
They had been en path to their yacht — dubbed the “Soulmate” — when, her husband mentioned, the girl fell overboard as a result of poor climate, Hope City Volunteer Fireplace & Rescue Assistant Chief Stafford Patterson mentioned.
A nonetheless from video of the seek for a lacking American lady who reportedly went overboard off the Abaco Islands within the Bahamas, April 5, 2026.
Abaco Asian Market
“Sturdy currents subsequently carried her away, and he overpassed her,” the Royal Bahamas Police Power mentioned in a press launch.
Patterson recognized the lacking lady as 55-year-old Lynette Hooker, of Onsted, Michigan. It’s unknown if she had a life jacket on, he mentioned.
Brian and Lynette Hooker in a photograph posted to their social media.
the_sailing_hookers/Instagram
She was holding the boat key when she went overboard, inflicting the 8-foot hard-bottom dinghy’s engine to close off, police famous.
Her husband, 58-year-old Brian Hooker, subsequently paddled the boat to a marina, arriving at round 4 a.m. Sunday, in line with Patterson. He reported his spouse overboard to a person who then alerted police, the Royal Bahamas Police Power mentioned.
A search and rescue mission involving Bahamian and U.S. authorities and volunteers is ongoing, the Royal Bahamas Police Power mentioned Monday. The U.S. Coast Guard launched an plane to assist the search and rescue, Patterson mentioned.
Karli Aylesworth, the daughter of Lynette Hooker, launched an announcement on Monday saying, “I’ve been aware about little or no info. My sole concern is to search out out what occurred to my mom and ensure a full and full investigation is carried out into her disappearance.”
“Whereas the Royal Bahamian police are investigating this matter, I’d additionally respect any involvement of the federal, state or native authorities to look into the circumstances of this tragic scenario,” Aylesworth mentioned.
Brian and Lynette Hooker in a photograph posted to their social media.
the_sailing_hookers/Instagram
The U.S. State Division is “conscious of reviews concerning a lacking American close to Elbow Cay” and is “working with Bahamian authorities to supply help,” a spokesperson for the company mentioned Monday.
The State Division beforehand warned of probably lethal boating risks within the Bahamas. A journey advisory issued in March 2025 states that “boating will not be nicely regulated” on the islands, and “accidents and deaths have occurred.”
ABC Information’ Mariam Khan and Rachel DeLima contributed to this report.
