(NewsNation) — After Brian Hooker left the Bahamas, where his wife, Lynette, vanished several days ago, friends of the couple have said he needs to “step up” in the search.

Hooker’s attorneys said he flew back to the United States after learning his mother was seriously ill. As the search for Lynnette enters its 12th day, the attorneys said he plans to return to the Bahamas.

Missing mom in the Bahamas: Lynette Hooker investigation

  • Lynette Hooker, far left, is missing in the Bahamas after she reportedly fell overboard. (Credit: Karli Aylesworth)

  • Lynette Hooker smiles alongside her daughter, Karli Aylesworth, in a photo shared by family. Hooker disappeared while boating with her husband in the Bahamas. CREDIT: KARLI AYLESWORTH

  • Karli Aylesworth (left), and her mother, Lynette Hooker. (Credit: Karli Aylesworth)

Lynette Hooker, a 55-year-old mother from Michigan, disappeared April 4, when her husband reportedly told authorities she fell overboard during a boat trip. On Wednesday, the U.S. Coast Guard brought in cadaver dogs to assist in the search.

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Brian Hooker was arrested and later released after Bahamian officials said there wasn’t enough evidence to file formal charges. After his release, police said he remained a suspect.

Hooker has given multiple interviews saying he would continue searching for his wife.

Lynette Hooker’s disappearance called ‘cascade of failures’

Blaine and Marnee Stevenson met the couple in 2023, and they say they have serious questions about Hooker’s actions since his wife’s disappearance.

“Brian, I know he was a former Marine. He was a union leader. He was a staunch person of the people, fighting for the people’s right to protest and stand up in any political climate. And I’m asking him to be that person right now,” said Blaine Stevenson.

Stevenson continued: “He has said that the night was a cascade of failures, and I’m not going to backseat quarterback him on that one. But what I will say is, since that moment, he needs to step up and be that person he is.”

Brian Hooker leaving the Bahamas during search ‘disgusting’: Friend

Regarding Hooker leaving the Bahamas because of his sick mother, Marnee Stevenson said, “Accidents and emergencies happen,” but she questioned why he wasn’t giving anyone more information.

“The fact that he is leaving and not giving anybody information about how to continue searching for her — it’s disgusting,” she said. “I just can’t fathom that this could even be a response from somebody who says that he’ll do anything to find his wife, but he can’t even put somebody else in charge or give anybody any information about what they’re looking for.”