Bahamas authorities race against deadline to charge or cut loose husband of missing American woman

The man's attorney, Terrel Butler, arrived in Freeport Monday morning to sit in on a second official police interrogation of her client at the city's Central Police Station. 

She confirmed that Hooker still maintains his innocence, but declined to give specific details about the questions asked due to attorney/client privilege. 

Hooker must be released by 7:20 p.m. or charged with a crime. 

"We're close to the wire. Close to a decision," she said. "Even if they decided to charge him, it's highly unlikely that he would go to court today. So we will know by 7:20 p.m. today what their decision will be." 

She added that the decision to charge Hooker will not be made by investigators, but rather by the attorney general's office. 

"So, as soon as [the investigator] receives his instructions, then he will know how to proceed from there," she said. 

Butler said Hooker feels "a bit drained and tired from this whole ordeal," and that he's "just hoping to have closure to be released so that he can continue to search to find out what has happened to his wife."

She also said that Hooker could get rearrested. 

"It is possible that when a person has completed their time, that when they walk out, they can be re-arrested and time starts again," she said. 

Property records indicate that Brian and Lynette sold their home in the town of Kentwood, Michigan, in 2020. Fox News Digital was not able to verify any further property records related to the Hookers.

Hooker has been in custody since last week after authorities detained him in connection with his wife's disappearance. His attorney said officials have until about 7:20 p.m. ET Monday to decide whether to file charges or let him go.

Fox News Digital previously retraced the route - a short trip through waters local experts say are typically shallow, clear and heavily trafficked.

WATCH: Volunteer fire and rescue team searches for missing Lynette Hooker

In an interview on Ashleigh Banfield's "Drop Dead Serious" podcast, Lynette's mother described a volatile relationship and said her daughter had left her husband multiple times in the past.

"They had a lot of highs and a lot of lows," she said. "When there were bad times, they were bad times."

She alleged Brian Hooker could become "mean" and "hateful" when drinking and said there had been instances where he became physical, adding she had long feared for her daughter's safety.

Lynette had been planning to leave the marriage, her mother said in the interview.

In a previous appearance on "Fox & Friends," she also alleged he had been physically violent in the past.

"I've seen him choke out one of his daughters before. And we had to go to court for that," Aylesworth said. "So he's just repeating patterns."

Hooker's attorney said his client wants "closure" to find out what happened to his wife.

"He denied the allegations and he maintained his innocence," Terrel Butler said, adding that a decision on whether to charge him would likely come before the deadline.

The attorney also said the case would ultimately be handled by prosecutors, not just investigating officers, and that Hooker is "drained and tired" as he awaits a decision.

If he is not charged by the deadline, authorities would be required to release him, though re-arrest remains a possibility under Bahamian law.

Fox News Digital has also reported that local boaters say it would be unusual for someone to disappear without a trace in the area due to the water clarity and proximity to land.

The Hookers had documented their boating lifestyle online after buying and restoring a sailboat in Texas, eventually making their way to the Bahamas.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Royal Bahamas Police Force and Hooker's attorney for additional comment.

Fox News Digital's Adam Sabes contributed to this report.