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American couple chasing retirement dream in Bahamas boating mystery were ‘inexperienced’: Friend
Tune in to Fox and Friends Wednesday morning to see more of Griff Jenkins’ interview with Lynette Hooker’s daughter.
HOPE TOWN, Bahamas —The American woman who went missing in the Bahamas after her husband said she fell off a small boat had been living out her retirement dream of sailing when tragedy struck, according to a friend. Along the way, the couple had been building a social media following and forging connections across the country.
Lynette Hooker, 55 and her husband, Brian Hooker, 58, left Hope Town’s Abaco Inn at around 7:30 p.m. Saturday, four minutes after the sunset that night on a small boat headed to their yacht in Elbow Cay, according to Bahamian officials.
Brian Hooker reportedly told officials that while the couple were on the smaller boat, known as a dinghy, Lynette fell into the water with the ignition key, causing the engine to shut off. The current carried her away, according to Brian, who paddled back to a marina at Marsh Harbor. He reported Lynette missing at around 4:00 a.m. on Sunday.
John Waters, who is friends with the couple, told Fox News Digital he met Lynette and at an oyster bar in Panama City Beach, Florida in 2023. He said the couple was on a journey around the Gulf of America.
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“Their new lifestyle was this boat that they picked up in Texas. They spent a year working on it,” Waters said.
He described the couple as both really nice and said they were going for their retirement dream of sailing. He said the couple “weren’t that experienced” in boating.
Three days into the search for Lynette, authorities have provided few answers.
Richard Cook, team leader with Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue, told PEOPLE foul play isn’t suspected.
“It was just a lot of bad decisions,” Cook said. “Night time, very windy, no moon out yet so it was pitch dark and very rough conditions for the small boat they were in.”
Karli Aylesworth, Lynette Hooker’s daughter, who isn’t related to Brian, told Fox News’ Griff Jenkins that Brian Hooker has a history of being violent towards her mother. She did several interviews with media outlets on Tuesday, including with Fox News’ Griff Jenkins.
“I do believe something might have happened to her,” she said. “There’s history of them choking her out and threatening to throw her overboard. So the fact that this is actually happening makes me believe there’s more to the story.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Brian Hooker several times but has not received a response. He has not been charged with a crime.
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Aylesworth told Fox News Digital that Brian Hooker’s behavior would shift when drinking alcohol.
“He starts to act more smart-a—y and more picking at you and like ‘I know this will irritate you so I’m gonna do that'” type of attitude.
Aylesworth described her mother as a “very fit person” who wouldn’t lose her balance on a boat.
“I’m confused why she has the keys because she never drove the dinghy. It was always Brian. So the story just doesn’t add up right now,” Aylesworth said.
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Geoff Fahringer, former dive team member for the Collier County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, told Fox News Digital that he doesn’t suspect foul play.
“Sadly, what I’ve seen in my experience is that this is unfortunately a somewhat common occurrence that seeing the circumstances of this entire accident, it’s something I’ve seen before,” Fahringer said.
Authorities haven’t said if Lynette Hooker was wearing a life jacket at the time she fell off the small boat.
The couple is very active on social media, largely showcasing their yacht. Their most recent Instagram post on Friday afternoon showed Lynette on a boat with the caption, “Not going anywhere for a while?!”
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The Royal Bahamas Police Force is investigating the woman’s disappearance along with the Royal Bahamas Defense Force and Hope Town Fire & Rescue.
The U.S. State Department currently says the Bahamas issued a level 2 travel advisory for the Bahamas, is under a level 2 travel advisory and urges Americans to “exercise increased caution” due to crime, beach safety, as well as jet skis and boating dangers.
A spokesperson for the State Department told Fox News Digital the agency is aware of reports regarding the missing American and is working with Bahamian authorities.
Boating in the Bahamas isn’t well regulated, and the State Department has said that “injuries and deaths have occurred.”
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Justin Bieber’s $10M Coachella comeback draws backlash after he plays YouTube videos during his set
Justin Bieber‘s highly-anticipated Coachella set on Saturday is already sparking backlash, with some fans tearing into the pop star and dubbing his show as the “worst performance.”
After a years-long hiatus, the 32-year-old “Daisies” singer — who was reportedly paid $10 million for his return — took the stage in Indio, Calif. only to be met with a wave of criticism from online trolls.
For the first half of the set, Bieber focused on his latest tracks from “Swag” and “Swag ll” before diving into a YouTube-heavy track list.
“Tonight is such a special night,” Bieber told the crowd while sitting on a stool behind a table that held his laptop. “I feel like we gotta take you guys on a bit of a journey. Do you guys remember this song?”
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Bieber played hit songs like “Baby,” “Never Say Never,” and “Beauty and the Beat” on YouTube, while singing along to the music videos playing in the background.
At one point, Katy Perry poked fun at the moments in between YouTube searches.
“Thank God he has Premium,” the Grammy nominee, 41, said in a video posted to her Instagram. “I don’t want to see no ads.”
“I’m crying this might actually be the worst performance i’ve ever seen. He’s literally just playing music videos from youtube… zero effort, just pure laziness,” one user wrote on X.
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“Justin Bieber being the most paid artist by Coachella and he offered a performance with literally no work, no budget and some people are praising him,” another person wrote via X. “Male mediocrity privilege is real.”
“What the hell is justin bieber doing bro you’re telling me he was the highest paid to do this bulls—?” another added.
Despite the criticism, some fans praised the artist for his stripped-down performance.
“These 8 minutes of Justin Bieber singing his old songs, I’m going to treasure them in my heart for the rest of my life,” one fan wrote. “THANK YOU JUSTIN, THANK YOU.”
“Justin Bieber absolutely ended Sabrina Carpenter. You don’t need High Production set or 10 outfit changes to put on a good show. All you need is pure talent. LEGEND.”
Bieber’s Coachella set marked his first major performance since 2022’s Justice World Tour. According to Rolling Stone, the pop star scored a seven-figure deal to headline.
“It’s a groundbreaking move for a headliner, and it’s something he built entirely on his own,” a source close to Bieber told the outlet. “Between headlining Coachella and the success of Swag, it’s clear this is the start of an exciting new era for Justin — one where he’s fully in the driver’s seat.”
Throughout his performing hiatus, Bieber has expressed his vulnerability and mental struggles through multiple posts on social media.
In April 2025, Bieber wrote, “I’m just an average flawed guy. I’ve done things that have hurt others. I continue to do and say things that hurt others unintentionally. Yet I woke up this morning with another opportunity to grow and not be so selfish today.”
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He went on to write, “LOVE DRAWS US IN. LOVE DOESN’T CONDEMN. LOVE BELIEVES THE BEST. LOVE HOPES ALL THINGS AND ENDURES ALL THINGS. IT DOESN’T KEEP RECORD OF WRONG. LOVE HELPS U TO FORGIVE AND LOVE EVEN YOUR ENEMIES.”
Bieber made another post shortly after that, telling his followers that “Sometimes I think I’m gonna get exposed if I tell people how selfish I am. Like if I admitted that, maybe people wouldn’t like me or trust me.”
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The “Baby” singer explained that he felt that if he was honest about feeling selfish, then he would be “disqualified from the dreams I had of being included,” but said that the more honest he is about things, the more freedom he has.
In another post, Bieber wrote that he “can’t control” how he feels when he wakes up each morning, and that in the past “I would find myself even subconsciously blaming god for the bad feeling I woke up with rather than communicate with him and ask him to help me have a change of perspective.”
Towards the end of his Coachella set, Bieber thanked the crowd for an unforgettable night.
“Tonight has been beautiful,” Bieber said before closing his set with “Daisies.”
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Tiger Woods ‘ashamed’ after second DUI arrest amid seeking treatment: report
After his second DUI arrest in under a decade, it is apparent that Tiger Woods is doing some looking in the mirror.
The 15-time major winner was arrested on March 27 after getting into a car crash in which his Range Rover turned onto its driver’s side.
Woods put up all zeroes on a breathalyzer but was given field sobriety tests after being “lethargic.” He was eventually handcuffed, and it is now speculated that he is in Switzerland for treatment.
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People magazine said Woods, 50, is “ashamed” of his latest drama, citing a source.
“Tiger can be defensive at times but he was embarrassed and ashamed at the latest accident. He wants to fix his problems,” the source told People. “There is nobody more interested in seeing Tiger come out a winner again than Tiger. He doesn’t do well with defeat and embarrassing public situations.”
A court filing shows that a subpoena will be issued later this month for Woods’ prescription drug records from Jan. 1 through his arrest.
Woods told law enforcement prior to the field sobriety tests that he underwent seven back surgeries and “over 20 operations on his leg.” He told law enforcement that “I take a few” prescription medications. In 2021, he got into a wreck that resulted in serious leg injuries that kept him off the golf course for the entire year.
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He also mentioned that his ankle was fused and he walks with a limp due to the injuries. Due to the nature of his injuries, authorities made him do the exercises sitting down.
Woods announced days after the arrest that he would “seek treatment,” and he was given permission to travel out of the country in order to do so.
“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today. I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery,” Woods said in a statement posted to social media.
“I’m committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time.”
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Costco travel perks that could quietly save you hundreds on your next trip this spring
Costco members may have access to added travel savings in 2026, as the retailer expands travel perks tied to its booking platform.
For travelers looking to cut costs, these features may help cut expenses on hotels, rental cars and other parts of a trip.
One option is Costco Travel’s bundled hotel pricing, which can reduce the cost of longer stays.
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The company’s “More Stay, Less Pay” deals allow travelers to book longer stays at a reduced rate, such as staying five nights while paying for four, according to the company’s website. Pricing also generally includes mandatory fees upfront, which can help avoid unexpected charges during checkout.
Some travel packages also include Digital Costco Shop Cards, which are issued by email after a trip begins or is completed, depending on the booking.
These electronic gift cards can be used for purchases on Costco’s website or at warehouse locations, Costco noted. The credits may help offset future expenses such as groceries or other everyday items.
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Rental car bookings through the platform may also offer another way to save.
In some cases, additional driver fees are waived through select providers, which can otherwise add to the overall cost of a trip.
Fox News Digital previously reported that Costco Travel has gained traction among budget-conscious travelers looking to maximize savings.
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The service allows members to book vacation packages, cruises and rental cars through select partners, often bundling additional perks into the overall price.
“They use a portion of the commission they would normally earn and turn it back into benefits or incentives for the person booking the trip,” travel expert Bobby Laurie told Fox News Digital.
Posts on online forums such as Reddit suggest many travelers have had positive experiences with Costco Travel, particularly when it comes to customer service and rental car pricing.
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One user described the service as “hard to beat.”
However, the platform may not work for everyone.
Costco Travel requires a membership to book, and its offerings are more limited compared to larger online travel agencies. Travelers looking for highly customized trips or boutique accommodations may find fewer options.
Fox News Digital reached out to Costco for comment.
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