Be warned, this news story of an attempted murder at sea is truly terrifying—and graphic. But the way the alleged victim reports she survived is downright impressive.

According to court documents, Douglas Scott Naeher, 60, lives in Holmes Beach, Florida. He’s been dating Stephanie, 48, for six years, and the couple got married three years ago. On June 12, 2025, the carpentry business owner filed for a “dissolution of marriage” with the Manatee County court. As Stephanie has yet to be served, there’s no way of telling whether she even knew.

Early on the morning of July 20, the couple boarded Doug’s 30-foot boat, which they dock in a canal near their home. Then they motored 33 miles out into the open ocean.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, “On the way to their destination, the victim (Stephanie) noted that the defendant’s (Douglas) demeanor seemed off, as he was not talkative as usual and appeared to be angry.”

Stephanie ended up settling down in the bow of the boat while Doug began fishing. “The victim was sitting in a bean bag chair on the port side of the boat in front of the center console. The defendant started to become irate while fishing, due to his line snapping.” So she “decided to get in the water and float on a pool noodle. While floating, she kept hold of the rope which was tied to the boat.”

That’s when Doug allegedly tried to kill his wife. “At some point, the defendant untied the rope, put the boat in gear and drove off without her. The victim stated she felt the defendant was leaving her out there to die.”

Abandoned, floating 33 miles from shore

A 33-mile swim across the open ocean with nothing but a pool noodle for flotation is a feat many athletes couldn’t accomplish. Doug was abandoning Stephanie to a certain death. But then she had a stroke of luck.

“She then noticed another boat off in the distance. She thinks that’s what prompted the defendant to turn around and come back for her.” Doug was obviously worried someone else would pick Stephanie up and she’d tell the authorities what happened.

No sooner had she climbed onto the boat than her husband began to beat her brutally. “Repeatedly punching her on the right side of the head. He then stomped on her head with both feet numerous times.”

Stephanie blacked out multiple times. When she woke up, she “pretended to be dead. She tried to slow her breathing and remain motionless so the defendant would stop hitting her.”

Bystanders attempted to help Stephanie

Doug bought the act, grabbed her by the hair, and threw her off the back of the boat. At some point, he must have suspected she was alive because he began to strangle her while threatening her. But Stephanie got lucky again. “The other vessel started coming closer to their location. The victim believes this is the reason the defendant let go of her.”

The driver of the other boat sensed the tension. He called to Doug and offered to give Stephanie a ride back to shore. Doug refused and raced away. He managed to push Stephanie into the water, where he abandoned her again. That’s when she realized she would be truly stranded. “The victim was able to interlock her feet around the ladder at the rear of the vessel and hold on.”

Hanging on for dear life

Eventually, Stephanie pulled herself aboard the boat. But of course Doug noticed her. He beat her again and threw her overboard a second time. But Stephanie wasn’t giving up. “The victim saw a rope dangling from the rear of the boat and wrapped it around her right ankle just before the defendant started to drive away a second time.”

When Stephanie finally pulled herself aboard the boat, Doug was nearing the canals where they normally dock. He tried to hit her again but had to return to the controls. “As the boat slowed, the victim jumped onto the dock and ran to the Holmes Beach Police Department.”

Police report Stephanie had multiple concussions, and one of her eyes was swollen shut. But she was alive. She pressed charges, and the police investigated. “There were blood droplets and smears around the boat.” They arrested Doug the next day. A judge refused to release him on bail because of the “high immediate danger to the victim.” So Doug Naeher is stuck in Manatee County jail, awaiting trial.