Bahamas 'Overboard' Case Erupts as Handcuffed Husband Falls Off Police Boat After Arrest Over Wife's Disappearance

Brian Hooker nearly met the same end as his wife, Lynette Hooker, who "fell overboard" and was swept out to sea.

Brian, 59, reportedly told his lawyer at the Central Police Station in Grand Bahama on Thursday night, April 9, that he fell from a police boat as they searched for Lynette, 55, during a storm following his arrest the day before.

Handcuffed as he plunged in the rough waters, the American man was likely only saved because he was wearing a life jacket at the time. However, he apparently sustained an abrasion and knee injury that's making him limp.

As OK! previously reported, Brian was taken into custody in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, on Wednesday, April 8, less than a week after his wife's disappearance.

According to police, Brian said Lynette fell from the boat with its keys on Saturday night, April 4, causing the engine to turn off and leaving him to paddle back to shore where he alerted authorities early the following morning.

"Strong currents subsequently carried her away, and he lost sight of her," officials said in a statement

It's since been revealed that Brian messaged a family friend about the incident on Monday.

"The wind blew me away from her and she swam towards the sailboat, and we lost sight of each other pretty quickly as it was just about sundown," he told fellow boater Daniel Danforth in a message obtained by CBS News.

Brian claimed he "drifted and tried to paddle with one oar for the next 7 hours until I washed up behind the shore of the next Island over and was able to get some help finally."

"We are still searching..a lot is going on right now but I thank you for checking on us," Brian added in the messages.

After Daniel sent prayers, Brian responded, "Thank you friend. Our family is in h--- right now."

Meanwhile, Lynette's daughter described the Michigan couple's relationship as "rocky" in an interview with CBS Mornings on the same day as his arrest.

Karli Aylesworth shared there had been "a lot of fighting and drinking lately," and admitted she was "questioning what actually went on on that dinghy."

When asked if her stepfather's story "adds up," Karli flatly said, "no it does not," explaining, "Brian is always driving, so he's basically in charge of the key."

She continued, "So, the fact that my mom had it doesn't make any sense."

Brian's Bahamas-based attorney Terrel A. Butler released a statement denying his involvement and shutting down his stepdaughter's accusations on Thursday.

"Mr. Hooker categorically and unequivocally denies any wrongdoing and in particular the allegations recently made by Karli Aylesworth. He has been cooperating with the relevant authorities as part of an ongoing investigation," the statement said, per NBC News.

Terrel added that Brian "has been cooperating with the relevant authorities as part of an ongoing investigation."

On Wednesday morning, Brian reportedly wrote on Facebook that he is "heartbroken over the recent boat accident in unpredictable seas and high winds that caused my beloved Lynette to fall from our small dinghy near Elbow Cay in the Bahamas."

"Despite desperate attempts to reach her, the winds and currents drove us further apart," he wrote. "We continue to search for her and that is my sole focus."