Bahamian Police Running Out of Time to Charge Brian Hooker | Crime Alert 04.13.26

Summary

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Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Bahamian Police Running Out of Time to Charge Brian Hooker | Crime Alert 04.13.26
Date: April 13, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode presents the latest updates on breaking crime stories, featuring the ongoing case of Brian Hooker—an American detained in the Bahamas after his wife Lynette went missing at sea. The episode also covers two other high-profile cases: the deadly shooting of a sheriff’s detective in California and the resolution of a longstanding Illinois cold case. Host Nancy Grace and correspondent Sydney Solvani bring listeners the essential facts, highlight key questions, and share emotional reactions from those closest to the cases.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bahamian Investigation: Brian Hooker Detained

• Summary:
  Brian Hooker remains detained in the Bahamas after reporting that his wife, Lynette, fell overboard near Elbow Cay. Despite probable cause for the detention, no formal charges have been filed yet.
• Attorney's Perspective:
  Hooker's attorney, Terrell Butler, describes Hooker as "emotionally shattered" and criticizes the direction of the investigation, emphasizing that interrogation focused on personal history instead of forensic evidence.
  • Quote (Butler, 01:08):
    "He's heartbroken and then to be arrested while assisting the police with their investigation. It is very traumatic for him."
  • Quote (Butler, 01:31):
    "Speculations, rumors, things about what happened in the past. No, what they should be focusing on is the incident that happened and what happened on that day."
• Family's Pain & Questions:
  Lynette's daughter, Carly Aylesworth, describes a disconcerting phone call from Hooker nearly 24 hours after Lynette’s disappearance. She questions his behavior and the lack of basic search efforts.
  • Quote (Carly Aylesworth, 02:02):
    (on the phone call) "He reportedly told her her mother was missing in a matter of fact tone before abruptly hanging up."
  • Voicemail (Hooker to Carly, 02:25):
    "Hello honey, I just got call from Folkstown Search and Rescue and I found the flotation device that I threw to mom when she fell overboard. They haven't found her yet."
  • Missing details raise suspicions—why did the boat move in the opposite direction and why wasn’t an anchor dropped?
• Law Enforcement Pressure:
  The Royal Bahamas Police say they have probable cause but must decide soon whether to charge Hooker or release him. The US Coast Guard is now involved, shifting the operation from rescue to recovery, and confirming a criminal investigation has begun.

2. Fatal Deputy Shooting During Eviction — Porterville, California

• Summary:
  A routine civil service call escalated to a deadly ambush. Tulare County Sheriff's Detective Randy Hoppert was killed when tenant David Eric Morales opened fire as deputies arrived to serve an eviction.
• Incident Details:
  Morales, anticipating the deputies’ arrival, used a high-powered rifle, engaged in a standoff, shot down a police drone, and only emerged after hours—ultimately being killed when an armored vehicle ran him over.
  • Quote (Sheriff Mike Boudreau, 04:34):
    "The suspect was laying prone on the ground in camouflage clothing, continuing to pose a threat. This situation is resolved. The suspect is now dead. He was not shot. One of the Bearcats ran over him and killed him. Any questions?"
  • Sheriff Boudreau’s uncompromising stance:
    • Quote (Boudreau, 05:10):
      "We intentionally ran him over. Don't shoot at cops. You shoot at cops, we're going to run you over. He got run over. He got what he deserved."
• Family's Devastation:
  Boudreau describes the impact on Hoppert’s family, emphasizing the senselessness and gravity of such attacks on law enforcement.
  • Quote (Boudreau, 05:27):
    "I met with the wife and I met with his mom and I can tell you that there is no consoling that family at this point. Attacks on law enforcement of this nature must stop."

3. Illinois Cold Case Breakthrough: Robert Bee Jr. Murder Arrest

• Case Overview:
  After nearly a decade, police have arrested Keith Brackett for the 2016 murder of 13-year-old Robert Bee Jr. in Pekin, Illinois.
• Timeline & Evidence:
  • Robert vanished in November 2016; remains found in July 2017 on property linked to Brackett’s family.
  • Rope and tape matching those found near Robert’s remains were discovered in Brackett’s residence.
  • Recent autopsy points to asphyxiation.
• Law Enforcement Response:
  Pekin Police highlight ongoing commitment to justice for child victims, regardless of time elapsed.
• Current Status:
  Brackett faces two counts of first-degree murder and one count of concealment of a homicide, with arraignment scheduled for April 23.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Terrell Butler (Brian Hooker’s attorney), 01:08:
  "He's heartbroken and then to be arrested while assisting the police with their investigation. It is very traumatic for him."
• Terrell Butler, 01:31:
  "Speculations, rumors, things about what happened in the past...they should be focusing on the incident that happened and what happened on that day."
• Carly Aylesworth (Lynette’s daughter) paraphrased, 02:02:
  (Describes the impersonal and abrupt call from Brian Hooker reporting her mother went missing.)
• Brian Hooker (voicemail), 02:25:
  "Hello honey, I just got call from Folkstown Search and Rescue and I found the flotation device that I threw to mom when she fell overboard. They haven't found her yet."
• Sheriff Mike Boudreau, 04:34:
  "The suspect was laying prone on the ground in camouflage clothing, continuing to pose a threat... He was not shot. One of the Bearcats ran over him and killed him."
• Sheriff Mike Boudreau, 05:10:
  "We intentionally ran him over. Don't shoot at cops. You shoot at cops, we're going to run you over. He got run over. He got what he deserved."
• Sheriff Mike Boudreau, 05:27:
  "There is no consoling that family at this point. Attacks on law enforcement of this nature must stop. This is absolutely ridiculous and my heart and prayers go out to the family of this fallen officer."

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:39 – 03:14: Bahamian Investigation & Family Testimonies (Brian Hooker/Lynette Hooker case)
• 03:43 – 05:47: Deputy Shooting in Porterville, California (Detective Hoppert)
• 05:47 – 07:00: Illinois Cold Case Arrest (Robert Bee Jr.)

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Summary

This Crime Alert episode delivers a concise but powerful update on three impactful cases. From the high-stakes investigation in the Bahamas involving Brian Hooker, to a California sheriff’s fatal encounter with an armed suspect, and finally a decade-old murder of a child reaching the threshold of justice, each story is presented with clear facts, emotional testimony, and a sense of urgent advocacy for truth. The reporting aims to keep listeners both informed and emotionally connected to the real people at the heart of these crimes.

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Transcript

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I'm Sydney Solvani. An American man remains in Bahamian custody today as investigators scramble to piece together what happened to his wife in the rough waters off Elbow Cay. Brian Hooker has been detained since Wednesday following his report that his 55 year old wife Lynette fell overboard and was swept away by strong currents. While the Royal Bahamas Police Force says they have probable cause for the detention, Hooker's attorney Terrell Butler is pushing back, describing a man who is emotionally shattered.

[A]

He's heartbroken and then to be arrested while assisting the police with their investigation. It is very traumatic for him.

[C]

Despite the detention, no charges have been filed. Attorney Butler revealed that Friday's questioning didn't focus on forensic evidence from the boat or digital devices, but rather on the couple's personal life. She's also questioning the very foundation of

[A]

the police investigation, speculations, rumors, things about what happened in the past. No, what they should be focusing on is the incident that happened and what happened on that day. That is where they would get evidence from to determine what happened that day. I think should you rely on the evidence and personally right now I don't see it, but my planters categorically denied any accusation of wrongdoing.

[C]

While the legal battle plays out in the Bahamas, Lynette's daughter Carly Aylesworth says the math just isn't adding up. She describes a jarring phone call from her stepfather almost 24 hours after the disappearance, where he reportedly told her her mother was missing in a matter of fact tone before abruptly hanging up. Hooker later left Carly a similar short voicemail obtained by CBS hello honey, I

[D]

just got call from Folkstown Search and Rescue and I found the flotation device that I threw to mom when she fell overboard. They haven't found her yet.

[C]

Aylesworth is asking the questions many investigators are likely weighing why wasn't an anchor dropped? Why did the boat move in the opposite direction? The search, which saw assistance from the US Coast Guard has now officially shifted from a rescue to a recovery mission. The Coast Guard has also confirmed they've opened a criminal investigation into the case. For now, Brian Hooker's time is running out. Under Bahamian law, police can seek extensions to hold suspects for up to 96 additional hours. As the sun rises today, he remains behind bars and Lynette Hooker remains missing. More crime and justice news after this.

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[C]

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[D]

This situation went from a civil order of removal to where our officer was shot and killed. This is senseless.

[C]

A routine civil service call in Porterville, California turned into a deadly ambush resulting in the death of a Tulare county sheriff's detective. It started around 10:40 Thursday morning. Deputy Randy Hoppert was serving a final eviction notice on a 35 day old unpaid rent. But authorities say the tenant, David Eric Morales, was waiting. Sheriff Mike Boudreau describes a lie in wait scenario where Morales opened fire with a high powered rifle. The moment deputies arrived, the situation spiraled into an hours long standoff. Morales allegedly barricaded himself shooting down a police drone and peppering covering tactical vehicles with gunfire. Eventually, the suspect crawled out of a window and took a prone position in the brush, wearing camouflage and refusing to surrender.

[D]

The suspect was laying prone on the ground in camouflage clothing, continuing to pose a threat. This situation is resolved. The suspect is now dead. He was not shot. One of the Bearcats ran over him and killed him. Any questions?

[C]

Deputy Hoppert was a Navy corpsman before joining the Sheriff's office in 2020. He was rushed to Sierra View District Hospital. But despite life saving efforts, he passed away just before noon. The sheriff's reaction to the suspect's death was blunt and uncompromising.

[D]

We intentionally ran him over. Don't shoot at cops. You shoot at cops, we're going to run you over. He got run over. He got what he deserved.

[C]

Sheriff Boudreau spent time with Hoppert's wife and mother before calling a press conference on the incident, describing their devastation at Sierra View Hospital.

[D]

And I met with the wife and I met with his mom and I can tell you that there is no consoling that family at this point. Attacks on law enforcement of this nature must stop. This is absolutely ridiculous and my heart and prayers go out to the family of this fallen officer.

[C]

A breakthrough Nearly a Decade in the making After 10 years of questions, an arrest has finally been made in one of Illinois's most haunting cold cases. On Wednesday, police in Pekin, Illinois announced the arrest of 48 year old Keith Brackett. Brackett is facing two counts of first degree murder and one count of concealment of a homicide in connection with the death of 13 year old Robert B. Robert vanished in November 2016. It wasn't until July of the following year that his remains were discovered in a wooded area. Pekin Police Chief Seth Ranney told the public this week that crimes against children remain the department's highest priority no matter how much time has passed. Investigators say Robert and Brackett had a close, unusual relationship despite their age gap, with Robert often skipping school to spend time at Brackett's home. When Robert's remains were finally found in 2017, they were located on a property owned by Brackett's aunt. Detectives reportedly found rope and tape near the remains that match materials later found during a search of Brackett's own residence. While a definitive cause of death was difficult to determine more than a year later, an autopsy has now pointed toward homicidal violence, specifically noting that the teenager likely died from asphyxiation. This arrest brings a somber sense of closure to a community that has spent years wondering how and why. Brackett is currently being held in the Tazewell County Jail and is scheduled for an arraignment on April 23, where the accused killer is expected to enter a formal plea. For the latest crime and justice breaking news, be sure to follow the Crime Alert hourly update on your favorite podcast app. With this Crime Alert, I'm Sydney Silvani.