The husband of missing American boater Lynette Hooker took a tumble off a police boat while he was being transported by cops in the Bahamas — and claimed he suffered “knee pain” after he was rescued, his lawyer said.
Brian Hooker, 59, fell overboard off the police boat while handcuffed Wednesday, a day after he was arrested in connection with his wife’s disappearance, his attorney Terrel Butler told Fox News.
He was wearing a life vest and floundered in the water until police hauled him back onto the boat, according to Butler.
Rough waters rocked the boat, knocking Brian over the edge while he was handcuffed and unable to hold on, the defense attorney told the outlet.
Butler said his client suffered some “knee pain and abrasions” and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Brian hasn’t been charged with anything yet, but he is the sole suspect in the 55-year-old Michigan mom’s disappearance after her heartbroken daughter raised concern. He was interviewed by police twice as a witness, and questioned a third time as a suspect, according to Butler.
Lynette’s daughter from a previous relationship claimed that her mom and stepdad had a “history of not getting along, especially when they drink.” She specifically cited Brian’s temper, recalling how he previously choked Lynette and threatened “to throw her overboard.”
The couple had been riding in their dinghy Saturday night when Lynette reportedly fell overboard and was pulled away by strong currents, according to Brian’s account. She had the motor’s key with her when she fell into the sea, which cut the engine’s power, he said.
Brian was then forced to paddle back to shore. He returned early Sunday morning and informed an individual that Lynette was missing. That person then informed police.
Here’s the latest on Lynette Hooker, the US woman who vanished after falling off a boat in the Bahamas
That same day, Brian left his stepdaughter a “monotone and relaxed” voicemail updating her on the search efforts.
“Hello, honey, I just got a call from Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue, and they found a flotation device that I threw to mom when she fell overboard,” Brian said in a message obtained by Fox News Digital.
“So they’re – that’s a – they haven’t found her yet, but they can now focus all of their efforts in 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.”
Efforts to find Lynette have since shifted to a recovery operation.
Brian has denied any involvement in his wife’s disappearance, saying he was “devastated” in a statement posted on his Facebook page.
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