Lynette Hooker Update: Husband Released From Custody but Still a Suspect in Wife’s Disappearance

Brian Hooker — whose missing wife, Lynette Hooker, allegedly fell off a small boat she was on with him in the Bahamas on April 4 — has been released from police custody, according to his attorney Terrel Butler.

NBC News reported that Butler told press on Monday, April 13, that authorities “had no evidence” against Brian in his wife’s disappearance.

However, according to NBC, Royal Bahamas Police Commissioner Shanta Knowles said Brian remains a suspect in the investigation, which is ongoing.

As Globe previously reported, Brian, 58, told police the Michigan mother, 55, fell overboard with the ignition key in her hand while they were on an 8-foot dinghy en route to their yacht on April 4. Since Brian couldn’t start the boat, he allegedly paddled back to the marina and reported his wife missing at around 4 a.m. the following day.

Brian’s attorney said he has been “very emotional” amid the tragedy, according to NBC, as he continuously maintains his innocence.

Butler said last week, per the news outlet, that Brian was “uncertain as to why” he has been questioned by authorities about “causing harm or possible murder when they had not given him any information where she is, if they had recovered her.”

“He definitely denies causing her death, and he still asked about her and is hopeful that she will be recovered,” Butler said.

Lynette’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth — who is not biologically related to Brian — previously told Fox News, “There’s history of him [Brian] choking her out and threatening to throw her overboard,” adding “the fact that this is actually happening makes me believe there’s more to the story.”

“I’m confused why she has the keys because she never drove the dinghy. It was always Brian. So the story just doesn’t add up right now,” Aylesworth said.

Richard Cook, a team leader with the Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue in the Bahamas, told People last week that he believed “alcohol was involved” in Lynette’s disappearance.

At the time, however, he said authorities did not suspect foul play.