By May 26, 2026 / 1:01 PM EDT / CBS News
CBS News has uncovered that a sailboat used by Brian and Lynette Hooker during their travels in the Bahamas had an advanced infrared camera. This camera, created by technology firm FLIR, is capable of sensing heat radiation and storing data on a cloud memory system. The system might contain critical evidence essential in locating Lynette Hooker, who disappeared earlier this year.
Lynette’s husband, Brian Hooker, informed authorities on April 5 about her falling overboard during a night-time dinghy ride. The U.S. Coast Guard seized the couple’s sailboat, the “Soulmate,” this month. Sources indicate that the camera is being analyzed as part of the investigation. It remains unclear if Brian Hooker utilized the device before or after the incident, but it is part of the current examination.
The infrared camera, highlighted in photos, is commonly employed by sailors for navigation, particularly in the dark. It helps in spotting individuals overboard and avoiding nighttime collisions. The initial mention of the camera’s existence was by Fox News.
A friend of the couple, Daniel Danforth, shared with CBS News that Brian had demonstrated the camera while they were in New Orleans in March 2023.
The disappearance of Lynette Hooker is under investigation by the Coast Guard Investigative Services. Brian Hooker maintains his innocence, has not been charged, and returned to the U.S. after questioning in the Bahamas.
In: Bahamas, United States Coast Guard, Missing Person