On April 8, Brian was taken into custody in Marsh Harbour, Abaco.
His attorney, Terrel A. Butler, issued a statement rejecting any connection between his client and the accusations made by Aylesworth.
“Mr. Hooker categorically and unequivocally denies any wrongdoing and, in particular, the allegations recently made by Karli Aylesworth. He has been cooperating with the relevant authorities as part of an ongoing investigation,” Butler stated.
Butler emphasized that his client “has been cooperating with the relevant authorities as part of an ongoing investigation.”
In a conversation with People, Butler mentioned, “the previous history does not have anything to do with what actually took place on that day.”
He further explained, “He’s the only witness to what transpired, and he has said he has done nothing wrong, so to refer to allegations of abuse or a tumultuous relationship does not explain what happened on the day or indicate whether or not he was somehow culpable for anything that may have happened to her.”
Prior to his arrest, Brian reportedly expressed on Facebook his deep sorrow over the recent boating accident, occurring in challenging weather conditions, which led to Lynette falling from their small dinghy near Elbow Cay in the Bahamas.
“Despite desperate attempts to reach her, the winds and currents drove us further apart,” he shared. “We continue to search for her, and that is my sole focus.”
Additionally, he left a voicemail for his stepdaughter, updating her on the search efforts by Hope Town’s search and rescue team, which “haven’t found [Lynette] yet.”
“They can now focus all their efforts on a smaller area, and they’re still out there searching today. So I just wanted to update you and let you know. I love you. I’ll talk to you later, bye-bye,” he added.
Meanwhile, Lynette’s mother, Darlene Hamlett, expressed to the Associated Press her relief upon hearing about the arrest but noted her ongoing quest for more details regarding her daughter’s disappearance.
“We have many unanswered questions,” Darlene remarked. “We are still holding on for a positive outcome to this tragedy.”
Following his arrest, Brian reportedly fell from a police boat during a storm while they were searching for Lynette, resulting in an abrasion and a knee injury after entering the turbulent waters.
