Capt. Frank Hooks, U.S.M.C (NCD)

Pasco County Marine pilot dies

The search for a missing Pasco County Marine pilot has been called off.

Monday the Marines declared 32-year-old Capt. Frank Hooks deceased.

An investigation is underway into what officials describe as “mishap” Saturday night aboard the U.S.S Harry S. Truman in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Hooks was an F/A 18 Hornet pilot.

People in the neighborhood south of Dade City where Hooks grew up are taking the news hard. Willie Harrelson watched Hooks grow up.

Willie Harrelson:
Lord, I'd give anything in this world to know it wasn't this way. It's like loosing one of my own kids.

Capt. Hooks was raised by his grandmother. She is now in New York with his wife. He had no children.

A Marines spokesman says a memorial will be held aboard the Truman Tuesday.