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An American woman who went missing in the Bahamas after falling overboard during a boat ride with her husband has been identified.
Lynette Hooker, 55, of Onsted, Michigan, fell in the Abaco Islands water while taking a boat ride with her husband from Hope Town to Elbow Cay, on Saturday.
Her husband, 58-year-old Brian Hooker, told the Royal Bahamas Police Force that they left around 7.30pm on an eight-foot dinghy, according to an RBPF press release.
The couple were headed to their yacht, 'Soulmate,' when Brian said she slipped and fell due to poor weather, Hope Town Volunteer Fire & Rescue Assistant Chief Stafford Patterson told ABC News.
'Strong currents subsequently carried her away, and [Brian] lost sight of her,' the RBPF stated.
Patterson added that it was unclear whether Lynette was wearing a life jacket.
Police said the 55-year-old was holding the boat key when she fell, which caused the dinghy’s engine to shut off.
Lynette Hooker, 55, of Onsted, Michigan , fell in the Abaco Islands water while taking a boat ride with her husband from Hope Town to Elbow Cay, on Saturday
Her husband, 58-year-old Brian Hooker, told the Royal Bahamas Police Force that they left around 7.30pm on an eight-foot dinghy
Brian then paddled the boat through the night, reaching a marina around 4am Sunday, according to Patterson.
He told an individual at the marina what happened to his wife, who then contacted authorities, according to the RBPF.
Bahamian and US authorities continue a joint search and rescue, with the US Coast Guard deploying an aircraft to aid the effort, Patterson said.
Lynette's daughter, Karli Aylesworth, released a heartbreaking statement on Monday about the incident.
'I have been privy to very little information. My sole concern is to find out what happened to my mother and make sure a full and complete investigation is performed into her disappearance,' she said.
'While the Royal Bahamian police are investigating this matter, I would also appreciate any involvement of the federal, state or local authorities to look into the circumstances of this tragic situation,' Aylesworth added.
The couple were headed to their yacht, 'Soulmate,' when Brian said she slipped and fell due to poor weather
Bahamian and US authorities continue a joint search and rescue, with the US Coast Guard deploying an aircraft to aid the effort
The 'Soulmate,' the boat of Lynette and Brian Hooker
An American woman, who has not been identified, fell into the water and was swept away in the Abaco Islands while she and her husband took a boat ride from Hope Town to Elbow Cay on Saturday
A US State Department spokesperson said they are 'aware of reports regarding a missing American near Elbow Cay.'
They added that they are 'working with Bahamian authorities to provide assistance.' The investigation remains ongoing as the search for the Lynette continues.
The Bahamas currently has a level two travel advisory, warning visitors to exercise increased caution due to increased crime and swimming-related risks.
In summary, the advisory cited violent crimes, such as armed robberies, burglaries, and sexual assaults, as well as the lack of regulation around boating which has led to injury and death.