HOLMES BEACH, Fla. (WWSB/Gray News) – A husband is accused of violently beating his wife while on a boat and then trying to abandon her in the Gulf more than 30 miles off the Florida coast.
According to court documents, Douglas Scott Naeher, 60, was in court on Friday and was denied bond.
He is charged with attempted first-degree murder and domestic battery.
Naeher allegedly beat, stomped, and dragged his wife behind a boat, and then attempted to drown her on June 20, all while 33 miles off Bean Point, Anna Maria Island.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Naeher and his wife took their 30-foot boat out for a fishing trip. The victim said her husband “appeared to be angry” that morning. After arriving at a spot 33 miles off Bean Point, he began fishing.
He became more irate when his line snapped, she told deputies. To avoid a confrontation, she entered the water and floated on a pool noodle while holding a rope tied to the back of the boat.
Without warning, the victim claimed Naeher allegedly untied the rope, put the engine in gear, and drove off without her. The victim said she feared he was leaving her to die.
The woman believes the appearance of another vessel close by may have prompted Naeher to come back for her. Once she was on the boat, she claimed Naeher began punching her in the head and stomping on her head with both feet.
She said she went in and out of consciousness before pretending to be dead to stop the attack.
Naeher then allegedly pulled her to the back of the boat by her hair, put her into the water, and tried to drown her, she said.
As the other boat continued to approach, Naeher allegedly went back to the wheel and attempted to drive off again.
The victim said she said she managed to hold onto a ladder with her leg while being dragged behind the boat for a short time before climbing back on board, where Naeher allegedly continued punching her.
She said he then allegedly threw her off the boat a second time; she managed to grab another line and was able to hang on as Naeher drove off again, eventually again climbing back on board.
As Naeher was navigating back to Bean Point, he allegedly continued to beat the victim, the affidavit said.
Once they arrived back at their dock, the woman jumped off the boat and ran to the nearby Holmes Beach police station.
Naeher was seen driving away from the scene.
The victim was taken to a hospital with extensive head trauma, including swelling, bruising, a concussion and a swollen shut eye, officials said.
Naeher was arrested the next day, the sheriff’s office said.
Naeher was denied bond Friday and entered a plea of not guilty. He is being held in the Manatee County Jail.
A trial date has not been set.
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