Daughter of Missing American Woman Arrives in Bahamas, Criticizes Stepfather’s Departure
Karli Aylesworth, daughter of missing Lynette Hooker, arrived in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas on Thursday to assist in the search for her mother, who disappeared on April 4 while boating with her stepfather, Brian Hooker. Aylesworth, 28, traveled with her partner, Steve Hansen, and was met by uniformed police upon landing at Leonard Thompson International Airport before proceeding to the area where Lynette was last seen.
Upon arrival, Aylesworth expressed sharp criticism of Brian Hooker’s decision to leave the Bahamas shortly after asserting he would remain to help authorities locate Lynette. “I feel it shows his character. He somehow lost my mom at sea and cries on camera saying he’ll never stop searching, then leaves the next day,” Aylesworth told The Novel York Post. She likewise stated to CBS that his sudden departure “shows he’s not much of a man of his word.”
Brian Hooker had previously told news outlets on Tuesday that he intended to stay in the Bahamas to continue the search for his wife after being released from custody. However, he departed for the United States on Wednesday, landing in Atlanta in the mid-afternoon, according to a source familiar with his travel. His attorney, Terrel Butler, confirmed that Hooker traveled to be with his mother, who is reportedly gravely ill.
Hooker was arrested by the Royal Bahamas Police Force on April 8 and detained for five days while investigators examined the circumstances surrounding Lynette’s disappearance. He was released on Monday night without being charged. During his detention and subsequent interviews, Hooker maintained that Lynette fell overboard from their dinghy near Elbow Key around 7:30 p.m. On April 4 due to choppy seas and high winds, and that he made desperate but unsuccessful attempts to reach her.
Aylesworth has said she does not believe Brian Hooker’s account of the events leading to her mother’s disappearance. She noted that she has been privy to remarkably little information about the investigation but emphasized that her “sole concern is to find out what happened to my mother and make sure a full and complete investigation is performed.” She added that while she could accept an accidental explanation if proven, there needs to be an intensive review of the facts before such a conclusion can be drawn.
The daughter also revealed she had been made aware of “prior issues” concerning Brian Hooker’s behavior, which she believes may be relevant to the investigation. In prior interviews with Fox News Digital and Fox and Friends, Aylesworth accused Hooker of having a history of domestic violence and anger issues, and said that “something doesn’t add up” regarding the official narrative of her mother’s disappearance.
Bahamian authorities had indicated earlier in the week that their search for Lynette Hooker might be suspended as early as Thursday, based on analysis of tide, drift, and wind patterns suggesting no further areas to investigate. However, a U.S. Coast Guard criminal investigation into the disappearance remains active. Lynette Hooker, who was married to Brian Hooker for 25 years, remains missing, and her daughter continues to press for answers while on the ground in the Bahamas.