Donna Hooker, the stepmother of Brian Hooker, has labeled him a habitual liar. Her revelation came during a livestream appearance on the ‘Surviving the Survivor’ podcast. She is actively working to assist investigators in finding leads concerning the disappearance of Brian’s wife, Lynette Hooker. Lynette, a 55-year-old from Michigan, disappeared in the Bahamas during a sailing trip with her husband on their sailboat, ‘Soulmate.’ Brian reported her missing on April 4, claiming she fell from a dinghy.
On April 14, 2026, Brian Hooker was seen at the Central Police Station in Freeport, The Bahamas, accompanied by his lawyer, Terrel A. Butler. He was there to retrieve his wedding ring and watch, which were with him at the time. These items were not with him when authorities released him from jail the night before, after questioning related to Lynette’s disappearance.
Bahamian authorities initially detained Brian to question him regarding his wife’s disappearance. He was eventually released and returned to the U.S. in mid-April. The Tribune, a Nassau-based newspaper, stated that Donna Hooker has never been contacted by investigators, even though she has known Brian for decades.
Donna Hooker told the outlet that she that she has vital information that could assist authorities in their ongoing investigation into Lynette’s disappearance. Married to Brian’s father for more than four decades, Donna lived with her stepson during his teenage years in the 1980s. Describing Brian as intelligent but reserved, she expressed her willingness to provide any insights to investigators, despite not being contacted by them.
The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted Brian Hooker’s sailboat, ‘Soulmate,’ as it traveled from the Bahamas back to the U.S. Donna recounted that Brian had his own room during his teenage years and would often stay there, not engaging much in other activities. Over time, she found it increasingly difficult to reach him. She and Brian’s late father, George, often tried to maintain contact through his sister, Jennifer, in California.
Donna last saw Brian in April 2022, when he visited following George Hooker’s stroke. Since that visit, she has not had contact with him. She learned about Lynette’s disappearance from a family member in Texas and struggled to communicate with Jennifer after her trip to the Bahamas following Brian’s release.
The Coast Guard Investigative Service continues to investigate the case, and Fox News Digital sought a response from them. Brian Hooker has not been accused of any crime, and his attorney has confirmed ongoing communication with investigators. The investigation into this case remains active.