His attorney, Terrel Butler, described him as “completely heartbroken and deeply distressed” in a statement shared Friday with The Independent.
“His primary concern and source of intense frustration is his inability to continue the search for his wife of 25 years. The trauma of her disappearance, coupled with his current detention as a suspect, has left him in an extremely fragile state,” he said.
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Hooker, who has not been charged, “unequivocally denies any wrongdoing,” according to Butler.
Brian Hooker told police his wife, Lynette Hooker, ’fell overboard’ (Facebook/Lynette Hooker)
Hooker is also suffering from a knee injury, which he sustained after falling overboard while police were searching his boat on the night of his arrest, according to his attorney.
“Under conditions of heavy rain and strong-force winds, he was taken by boat to his boat, the Soulmate for a police search. Despite the choppy and dangerous sea conditions, he was kept in handcuffs,” Butler said.
“While attempting to move sideways across the wet, unstable flooring of the boat to maintain his balance—with a bundle of clothes in his restricted hands—he lost his footing and fell overboard. He was submerged in the cold water and took in a significant amount of seawater before his life jacket brought him to the surface. He had to be rescued from the water by the police,” he added.
Hooker is expected to receive treatment at Rand Memorial Hospital.
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The Independent has contacted the Royal Bahamas Police Force for comment.
Hooker initially told investigators his wife was carried away by “strong currents” after she “fell overboard” while they were on a boat together, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said Sunday.
“According to preliminary information, a male complainant reported that he and his wife, both U.S. nationals, departed Hope Town around 7:30 p.m. aboard an 8-foot hard-bottom dinghy enroute to Elbow Cay,” the agency said in a statement.
Lynette Hooker (Facebook/Lynette Hooker)
“During the journey, his wife reportedly fell overboard with the boat keys, causing the vessel’s engine to shut off. Strong currents subsequently carried her away, and he lost sight of her. He then paddled the vessel to shore,” the statement continued.
The agency announced Hooker’s arrest late Wednesday. Advardo Dames, the assistant commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police, said he was “taken into custody as a suspect,” according to Reuters. The U.S. Coast Guard has also opened a criminal investigation into the incident.
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Origin Deleveaux, a Royal Bahamas Defense Force commander, told NBC News crews are still searching for Lynette Hooker as of Friday.
Lynette Hooker’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, has spoken out about the case in interviews with several media outlets. Aylesworth told NBC News she was unlikely to “just fall” off the boat, and explained the couple has a “history of not getting along, especially when they drink.”
During a Fox News interview, she also described her mother as a “very fit person” who was unlikely to lose her balance.
“I do believe something might have happened to her,” Aylesworth told the network. “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.”
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Butler said his client denies Aylesworth’s claims.
“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,” he said Thursday.
A man in his 30s died at the scene after a blue Yamaha off-road motorbike collided with a barrier used to close a car park
A man has tragically died after a motorbike was smashed into a car park barrier in Bolton. Police and paramedics were called to the incident on Rivington Lane, near Rivington Pike at around 9pm on Wednesday (April 8).
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It was reported that a blue Yamaha off-road motorbike collided with a barrier used to close a car park. The rider, a man in his 30s died at the scene and the passenger, a woman in her 30s was taken to hospital with minor injuries. She has since been discharged, Lancashire Police said.
His family are being supported by specialist officers following the fatal incident. Lancashire Police are now appealing for witnesses and footage to come forward.
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The collision was reported along Rivington Lane, on the approach to Rivington Hall Barn, Rivington. Anyone who also saw the bike being ridden in nearby residential areas is urged to contact police.
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Sergeant Andrew Swindlehurst, of the Roads Policing Unit said: “A man has very sadly died following this collision and our thoughts remain with him and his loved ones at this difficult time.
“We are in the early stages of our investigation and I am appealing directly to you, the public, for your assistance. If you witnessed this collision, have any CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage, or have any information that could assist us please do get in touch with us.
“In addition to footage directly around the scene, we are also appealing for any footage of the motorbike being ridden around nearby residential areas. Please contact us on 101 quoting log 1561 of 8th April or email the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at SCIU@lancashire.police.uk”
Chelsea welcome Manchester City to town on Sunday, knowing that they must get back to winning ways to keep their Champions League qualification alive.
Back-to-back Premier League defeats to Newcastle and Everton saw the Blues drop to sixth in the standings, one point off fifth-placed Liverpool and seven off fourth-placed Aston Villa.
City, meanwhile, fresh from winning the Carabao Cup, and then demolishing Liverpool in the FA Cup, now set their sights on closing the gap on title-favourites Arsenal, who play earlier in the weekend.
Date, kick-off time and venue
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Chelsea vs Man City is scheduled for a 4.30pm BST kick-off on Sunday, April 12, 2026
The match will take place at Stamford Bridge.
Where to watch Chelsea vs Man City
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League, with coverage starting at 4.25pm.
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Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Dom Smith at the ground.
Chelsea vs Man City team news
Filip Jorgensen is on the road to recovery after groin surgery, but Robert Sanchez is expected to continue in goal. Benoit Badiashile will hope to recover from an illness to be involved.
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Trevoh Chalobah is still a few weeks away from returning, while Jamie Gittens is out and the game comes too soon for Levi Colwill.
Phil Foden will be desperate to get another chance to impress after a deeply underwhelming two appearances for England during the international break, but faces very stiff competition from the impressive duo of Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki.
Josko Gvardiol is still sidelined, but Pep Guardiola insists that Mateo Kovacic is fully fit.
Chelsea vs Man City prediction
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It could be another tough afternoon for Chelsea, with City looking like they are building momentum at the perfect time.
Chelsea have not lost three in a row in the Premier League in almost three years, but have shown little to suggest they can reverse that run against the most impressive team in the country.
LONDON (AP) — A charity co-founded by Prince Harry in Africa to honor his late mother, Princess Diana, has sued him for defamation after he stepped down as a patron last year.
Sentebale, which supports young people living with HIV in Botswana and Lesotho, filed suit last month in London’s High Court, according to court records viewed Friday. Online filings show Harry and his friend, Mark Dyer, a former trustee at the charity, are being sued for either libel or slander. No documents were available.
“The charity seeks the court’s intervention, protection, and restitution following a coordinated adverse media campaign conducted since 25 March 2025 that has caused operational disruption and reputational harm to the charity, its leadership, and its strategic partners,” Sentebale said Friday in a statement on its website.
A spokesperson for Harry and Dyer said the pair “categorically reject these offensive and damaging claims.”
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The lawsuit puts the Duke of Sussex in an unaccustomed position as a defendant in the High Court. Over the past three years, he has repeatedly been on the other side of litigation as the leading claimant in invasion of privacy suits against Britain’s most prominent tabloids over allegations of phone hacking and unlawful snooping by journalists and the private eyes they hired.
Harry co-founded Sentebale, which means “forget me not” in the language of Lesotho, about 20 years ago in memory of his mother, who was a prominent advocate for treatment of HIV and AIDS and helped reduce stigma around the disease. Prince Seeiso of Lesotho was the co-founder.
Disagreements at the charity surfaced in 2023 over a new fundraising strategy, and the two founders stepped down as patrons in March 2025 in support of trustees who had quit.
At the time, they said the relationship between the board and its chair, Sophie Chandauka, was beyond repair. Chandauka later accused Harry of orchestrating a campaign of bullying and harassment to try to force her out.
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As the dispute unfolded, Chandauka told Sky News that filming for one of Harry’s Netflix programs had interfered with a scheduled fundraiser for Sentebale and that an incident with his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, became a source of friction.
The Charity Commission for England and Wales investigated and criticized both sides for allowing the issue to become public and damaging the organization’s reputation, but found no evidence of widespread bullying or misogyny at Sentebale.
“Sentebale’s problems played out in the public eye, enabling a damaging dispute to harm the charity’s reputation, risk overshadowing its many achievements, and jeopardizing the charity’s ability to deliver for the very beneficiaries it was created to serve,” commission CEO David Holdsworth said in a statement in August 2025.
Harry’s spokesperson had criticized the commission’s report while Chandauka welcomed it.
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Gerald Imray in Cape Town, South Africa, contributed to this report.
A family have spoken of their devastation after a 13-year-old girl was killed in an e-bike crash. Ella Walden was pronounced dead after the horror incident on Elizabeth Street, Corby on April 7.
Police are now appealing for anyone who may have any footage of what happened to come forward. A-32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and road traffic offences and has been released on bail.
Now, Ella’s family have shared their heartbreak in a tribute, which was released by Northamptonshire Police. It states: “Our lives will never be complete again after losing our beautiful Ella.
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“She was the most amazing, strong-willed, feisty girl, with the most precious smile. Ella had an infectious personality and could light up even the emptiest room. She made a lasting impression on everyone she met, and you could hear her before you saw her, so life is so quiet without her.
“As a family, we were the lucky ones to have her as ours, but she has been taken from us far too soon. Ella was incredibly loyal and always stood up for what she believed in.
“She had a kind heart and was always there for anyone who was struggling. Ella loved being in the limelight and truly excelled in drama – she was never happier than when she was performing. She lived life to the fullest.
“To the world she was Ella, but to us she was the world. Life will forever have an empty space without her, but her memory will live on with us all forever.”
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In a statement, Police said this morning: “Detectives from Northamptonshire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit have arrested a man in connection with an incident which led to the death of a girl in Corby.
“The incident happened on Tuesday, April 7, between 2pm and 3pm, when the girl suffered serious injuries after falling off an e-bike in the town’s Elizabeth Street. She was taken to hospital but sadly died a short time later.
“Now, a 32-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and road traffic offences, in connection with the incident. He has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
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“Officers would still like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who may have CCTV or dash-cam footage of the collision.
“Anyone with information is asked to email CollisionAppeals@northants.police.uk or call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615, or Northamptonshire Police on 101. Please quote incident number 26000198505 when passing on any information to make sure it gets to the right person as quickly as possible.”
Patrick Kielty’s Late Late Show returned with guests including Patsy Kensit and Young Offenders stars
Rob Currell Live news reporter
22:21, 10 Apr 2026
The Late Late Show made its comeback to television screens this evening following the announcement from programme bosses that it would not broadcast on Good Friday.
Patrick Kielty resumed his presenting role tonight with a guest roster that sparked considerable discussion amongst audiences.
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Headlining was actress Patsy Kensit, who discussed with Patrick her recent 242-mile trek across north-east England featured in the latest series of BBC’s Pilgrimage.
Patsy is best recognised for her stint in Emmerdale, and she hinted at a possible comeback to the programme. Having endured considerable hardship during her lifetime, she shared how her religious beliefs assisted her in overcoming adversity.
The Young Offenders stars Alex Murphy and Chris Walley, from the RTE series, appeared in the studio to discuss the programme’s revival.
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The duo have inhabited these roles for a decade now and reflected on what has made the programme such an enormous success with viewers over the years.
Award-winning journalist Fergal Keane appeared alongside Patrick to discuss his recent departure from the BBC following an impressive 37-year tenure. Throughout his distinguished career, Fergal reported from the front lines of international conflicts spanning nearly four decades. These experiences took their toll, with Fergal opening up about the impact they had on his mental wellbeing.
Comedian and broadcaster Bernard O’Shea spoke about his family life in Limerick alongside his recent surge in online popularity, which has seen him become a viral sensation across social media platforms.
Country singer Cliona Hagan delivered a musical performance on the evening with her rendition of a Shania Twain classic. She also shared some thrilling news as The Late Late Show gears up to hunt for Ireland’s next country music sensation on The Late Late Show Opening Act next Friday, April 17.
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However, the star studded line up didn’t impress everyone.
Given the ongoing fuel crisis affecting the nation, numerous viewers questioned why representatives from the recent fuel demonstrations weren’t featured.
One viewer asked: “Why don’t you have Christopher Duffy on to discuss the fuel protests.”
Emergency crews raced to an area in Cheadle Hulme after reports of ‘suspicious items’ being found. It’s thought the discovery was made at a flat at the Fabrick Apartments on Warren Road.
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Police had been called to the scene on Friday (April 10) and a number of emergency services vehicles were in attendance. One witness claimed hazardous materials teams were also at the scene.
It was later found that items uncovered were consistent with suspected drug production. The M.E.N understands the items posed no threat or risk to nearby residents and that it was for the production of steroids.
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No arrests have been made in connection with the discovery. Investigations remain ongoing, GMP confirmed.
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A force spokesperson said: “Officers were called to a property on Warren Road, hulme>Cheadle Hulme following a report of suspicious items found.
“Emergency services attended and found items consist with suspected drug production. No arrests have made and enquiries are ongoing.”
Bath came from 21 points down to beat Prem leaders Northampton and reach the semi-finals of the Champions Cup in a breathtaking clash at the Rec.
Northampton were in sensational attacking form from the off, scoring five tries in the opening half hour as the top two sides in England delivered an amazing first 40 minutes.
But Bath were not knocked out and scored four of their own before half-time as the sides shared 61 points before the break.
The hosts’ strength in depth from the bench proved the difference in the second period as Northampton could only manage two penalties.
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And a late yellow card under heavy pressure for Saints talisman Henry Pollock proved decisive as replacement Ted Hill drove over to give Bath their first lead with five minutes left.
They held on to seal a famous win and set up a huge match against either Bordeaux Begles or Toulouse in the last four.
Exhilarating, high octane, entertaining – this was the modern brand of rugby which made the Six Nations so captivating in an 80-minute nutshell.
Whether Bath can beat the French giants playing such rugby remains to be seen but the English duo served up a first 40 minutes in particular which will live long in the memory.
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Pollock was involved – as he so often is – right from the start, driving over to give Saints the lead after a very early yellow card for Bath number eight Miles Reid.
Fraser Dingwall capitalised on a superb Saints attack to score the second try within six minutes before Tom Dunn barrelled over to reduce the deficit just moments later.
Northampton looked like scoring in every attack and Tom Lockett and Josh Kemeny stunned the home crowd with quick tries to put last year’s beaten finalists 28-7 up.
Finn Russell kicked through and dived on the ball to score for Bath, but when wing Ollie Sleightholme marked his 100th Northampton appearance with a fifth try in the 29th minute it looked like Saints would be reaching a third straight semi-final.
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The pace of Henry Arundell and the power of Francois van Wyk brought two quick Bath tries before the half-time whistle though and the momentum had swung the way of the hosts.
Kepu Tuipulotu mauled over to make it a five-point game and while Fin Smith’s boot kept the visitors just about ahead, a wave of pressure made a Bath score feel inevitable.
Pollock ignored the cries of referee Andrew Brace to release a tackle and paid the price with another yellow card, and moments later Hill drove over to level the scores.
Russell had the final word with his boot as the home crowd celebrated a sumptuous comeback and a first appearance in the last four in 20 long years.
The astronauts are set to splash down off the coast of San Diego, California
Moon joy! Nasa releases best moments from Artemis II’s history-making trip
7:33 pm EDT/12:33 am BST: Orion’s crew module will separate from the service module, exposing its heat shield for the spacecraft’s return through Earth’s atmosphere, where it will encounter temperatures of about 3,000 degrees.
7:37 pm EDT/12:37 am BST: Following separation, Orion will perform an 18-second crew module raise burn beginning to set the proper entry angle and align the heat shield for atmospheric interface.
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7:53 pm EDT/12:53 am BST: Orion will be 400,000 feet above Earth’s surface while traveling nearly 35 times the speed of sound, and the crew is expected to experience up to 3.9 Gs in the planned entry profile. This moment marks the spacecraft’s first contact with the upper atmosphere and the start of a planned six-minute communications blackout as plasma builds around the capsule.
8:03 pm EDT/1:03 am BST: Around 22,000 feet in altitude, the drogue parachutes will deploy, slowing and stabilizing the capsule as Orion nears splashdown.
8:04 pm EDT/1:04 am BST: At around 6,000 feet, the drogues will release, and the three main parachutes will deploy, reducing Orion’s speed to less than 136 mph.
8:07 pm EDT/1:07 am BST: Slowing to 20 mph, Orion will splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, completing the Artemis II crew’s return to Earth and a 694,481-mile journey.
The president singled out two former popular Fox News evening-programme hosts, Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly, and right-wing conspiracy theorists Alex Jones and Candace Owens, for criticism. He ticked through each, using derisive language to highlight what he viewed as their past failings and deficiencies.
The forecaster added that strong gale can also be expected in coastal areas on Sunday.
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This is the Met Office’s weather outlook for the weekend across Northern Ireland:
Saturday:
A dry morning with sunny spells. Becoming cloudier in the afternoon with outbreaks of rain which may be heavy at times. Winds strong at times, especially near the coast. Maximum temperature 10 °C.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
Heavy outbreaks of rain on Sunday. Sunny spells on Monday with scattered showers. Dry with sunny spells Tuesday. Winds will be strong with risk of gales Sunday, then becoming light.
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