JUNE 9, 2026 — The U.S. Coast Guard concluded its mission to the Bahamas in support of the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Lynette Hooker, Friday.
Search operations employed a range of specialized capabilities, including divers, remotely operated underwater vehicles, unmanned aerial systems, and a cadaver dog to thoroughly examine newly identified areas of interest.
During the mission, the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) also conducted a custody transfer of the Hookers’ dinghy from Bahamian authorities to the United States for further forensic examination.
The Coast Guard’s efforts were supported by the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, and K-9 Maggie from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.
Coast Guard units included the Coast Guard Cutter Margaret Norvell (WPC-1105), home ported in Miami, Florida, and Coast Guard divers.
CGIS is the U.S. Coast Guard’s federal law enforcement and criminal investigative agency responsible for conducting criminal investigations in support of the Coast Guard’s missions. Staffed by federal special agents, the agency investigates offenses including fraud, corruption, cybercrime, murder, drug trafficking, serious crimes involving Coast Guard personnel, and other violations of federal law with a Coast Guard nexus.
Working with domestic and international law enforcement partners, CGIS agents collect evidence, conduct interviews, execute search warrants and make arrests, and support prosecutions.
The CGIS investigation continues. Anyone with information about the disappearance of Lynette Hooker, or any other crime within the purview of CGIS, is encouraged to report it to the CGIS Tips app.
Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
About the U.S. Coast Guard
With more than 95,000 miles of shoreline, 25,000 miles of navigable rivers and 4.5 million square miles of U.S. exclusive economic zone, the U.S. Coast Guard defends the Nation, protects the marine transportation system, regulates and safeguards ports and waterways, leads the Nation in maritime drug interdiction and secures the maritime border. As a member of the joint force, a law enforcement organization, a regulatory agency and a member of the U.S. intelligence community, the Coast Guard employs a unique mix of authorities to ensure the safety and integrity of the maritime domain to protect the economic and national security of the nation. More than 76,000 members of the Coast Guard operate a multi-mission, interoperable fleet of more than 220 cutters, 185 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, 1,300 boats and its own dedicated cyber command to protect critical maritime infrastructure.
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