NEW You can now listen to Fox News Articles! A maritime law expert said that federal authorities could still bring charges in the Bahamas missing Lynette Hooker, even if they don’t find her body. Images taken by Fox News Digital in Fort Pierce on Tuesday showed crime tape around parts of the sailboat Soulmate as it docked. The source said that investigators were processing the evidence onboard on Tuesday and that this appeared to have continued into Wednesday.FOLLOW FOX TRUE CRIME ON XBrian Hooker Local authorities say that Brian Hooker arrived at Marsh Harbour Marina at around 4 am on April 5, roughly eight hours after Lynette Hooker went overboard. The Coast Guard has not charged Brian Hooker with a crime. The Coast Guard Investigative Service has been investigating Lynette’s disappearance. “They can’t bring charges without substantial evidence but that’s the reason they’re on board. They are looking for evidence. “The Coast Guard will have to develop the necessary evidence in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney in Florida,” said he. “SEND US A TIP HERE”That’s a much more difficult process without the body, but it’s not impossible to do,” Engerrand said. “SEND US A TIP HERE”That’s a much more difficult process without the body, but it’s not impossible to do,” Engerrand said.Engerrand said that Coast Guard investigators didn’t need a warrant to search Brian and Lynette Hooker’s sailboat since it’s American-flagged.LISTEN TO THE NEW ‘CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO’ PODCAST”They have a specific federal statute for that, and the courts have upheld that, with just a few limitations and so the Coast Guard can conduct a complete investigation with respect to the boat and activity that occurred on the boat under that statute that’s valid until they get to the point where they are doing a focused criminal investigation. “They don’t need any warrants for that, and once they focus on him, they only need reasonable suspicion,” said Engerrand. “They don’t even need a warrant to investigate activity on a vessel which is American flagged. “DAUGHTER of MISSING American in Bahama SAYS BRIAN HOOPER USED MOTHER’S Illness as ‘EXCUSE to LEAVE COUNTRY. Brian Hooker was held for five days by Bahamian Police after his wife vanished, but wasn’t formally charged. Like what you’re reading? Find out more on the TRUE CRIME HUB. “I would ask that those watching treat him as you would like to be treated. To give him the benefit-of-the doubt and to consider the fact that we all handle things differently,” Crystal Marie Hauser said.Brian Hooker, according to his Bahamian lawyer, left the island to attend to his “very sick” mother. “I am heartbroken about the recent boating accident that caused my beloved Lynette, to fall from our small Dinghy near Elbow Cay, Bahamas,” he wrote. “Despite desperate efforts to reach her, winds and currents pushed us further apart. “I am focused solely on finding her.”
