HOLMES BEACH – Douglas Scott Naeher, 60, was arrested on July 21 on felony charges of attempted murder and domestic battery as a result of a July 20 incident with his wife, Stephanie Naeher.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is conducting the criminal investigation.
According to the MCSO website, as of July 29, Douglas remained in custody at the Manatee County Jail, where he was being held without bond.
According to the MCSO affidavit, the couple lives at 505 58th St. in Holmes Beach. The arrest report lists Doug Naeher Drywall Inc. as the defendant’s place of employment.
A separate court document indicates that a petition for dissolution of marriage was filed on June 12, but no additional details are available.
According to the affidavit in support of the arrest warrant, the couple has been together for six years, married for three years and lived together at the time of the incident.
On July 20 around 7 a.m., the couple boarded the 30-foot powerboat they kept docked in the canal at their home, according to the report.
“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. Once they reached their destination, 33 miles off the coast of Bean Point, the defendant started fishing,” according to the affidavit.
“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. To avoid an altercation, (the) victim 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. 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. 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. When the victim climbed in the boat, the defendant began repeatedly punching her on the right side of the head. He then stomped on her head with both feet numerous times. While getting punched and stomped on, the victim stated she went in and out of consciousness,” according to the affidavit.
“In an attempt to save her own life, the victim said she pretended to be dead. She tried to slow her breathing and remain motionless so the defendant would stop hitting her. Once he stopped hitting her, he dragged her by the hair to the rear of the boat and into the water. The defendant then placed both hands around the victim’s throat attempting to strangle and drown her in the water. As he was doing this, he said, ‘I’m going to fu**ing kill you.’ The victim stated she was grasping for air and saltwater was coming out of her nose,” according to the affidavit.
“The other vessel starting coming closer to their location. The victim believes this is the reason the defendant let go of her. He left the victim in the water battered and gasping for air. He then put the boat in gear and started to drive. The victim was able to interlock her feet around the ladder at the rear of the vessel and hold on. The defendant dragged the victim behind the boat for a short time. The defendant eventually stopped the boat and the victim climbed back in using the ladder. When the defendant noticed she was back on the boat, he started to punch and stomp her body several more times. He then dragged her to the back of the boat and shoved her overboard. 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. The victim got dragged behind the boat for several minutes before she was able to pull herself back onto the rear of the boat,” according to the affidavit.
“While he was driving back inland towards Bean Point, the defendant noticed the victim was on the rear of the boat. The defendant let the boat continue driving on its own as he went back to batter her, only stopping when he had to adjust the course of the boat. As they got closer to their residence, the defendant had to actively stay in control of the boat to navigate through the narrow canal to their dock. As the boat slowed, the victim jumped onto the dock and ran to the Holmes Beach Police Department, just a short distance from their residence.
“This was at 1337 hours (1:37 p.m.). Ten minutes later, the defendant was seen on the Holmes Beach Police PD surveillance camera fleeing the scene in his pickup truck. The victim was transported to (HCA Florida) Blake Hospital to be treated for her injuries. She suffered from a concussion and had multiple contusions. Her head and face were swollen and her right eye was completely swollen shut. She had bruises on her arms, neck and face. At this time, the defendant’s whereabouts are unknown,” according to the affidavit.
“Given that the crimes at issue are crimes of violence that were committed in a watercraft against a victim who is a resident of Manatee County, they may be prosecuted in the Circuit Court of the 12th Judicial Circuit under the authority of Section 910.008(3)(f) Florida Statutes,” according to the affidavit.
Bond hearing
Douglas Naeher was held at the Manatee County Jail after his arrest on July 21 and was ordered to be held without bond by 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Teresa Dees at a July 25 pre-trial detention hearing at the Manatee County Judicial Center.
Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Det. Patricia Hetrick testified at Friday’s hearing about the condition of the crime scene and the victim.
“There were blood droplets and smears around the boat,” she said.
Hetrick said the victim showed signs of injury on her head, face, arms, foot, ankle and lower back. Hetrick said since the arrest has been made public, a witness has come forward with information.
“We’re continuing to investigate additional evidence,” Hetrick said. “The witness said he saw a man driving the boat. The man asked him to take the female back to shore with him, he declined and the boat sped off. He (the witness) didn’t see her but said there appeared to be a girl on the floor of the boat under an umbrella.”
Hetrick said the victim expressed concern about Naeher being released.
“She thinks he’ll kill her and finish the job,” Hetrick said. Updated 9:53 AM EDT, July 29, 2025
Naeher was represented at the bond hearing by attorneys Adam Dunn and Jerome Meisner. He testified that he has strong family ties in the area, does not possess a valid passport and if released, will adhere to GPS monitoring and agree to have no contact with his wife. At least a dozen of his family members were in the courtroom for the hearing.
Naeher said his financial assets include his home at 505 58th St. in Holmes Beach valued at a little over $1 million, a 2017 boat worth $80,000 and a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado truck.
“Those assets are being used to fight this,” Dunn said.
Assistant State Attorney Dickey Hough argued against Naeher being released on bond and said he poses a flight risk and has a history of escape. He cited a 1986 conviction for battery, resisting arrest and escape.
During the hearing, Naeher said, “I’ve got no reason to leave my house. My wife is trying to take it from me.”
Dunn said Stephanie Naeher has a 2024 felony conviction, which he said could lead to a “credibility issue.”
According to Manatee County court records, she was arrested and convicted of several offenses that began when she walked out on a $51 bar tab at the Freckled Fin in Holmes Beach. As a result, on May 22, she was convicted of resisting an officer with violence, battery on a law enforcement officer, possession of alprazolam, fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer and driving while under the influence with an unlawful blood alcohol level.
Dunn also stated that Douglas Naeher filed a dissolution of marriage in June, but it doesn’t appear that his wife has been served yet.
In making her decision to not release Naeher on bond, Judge Dees cited, “incredibly concerning allegations of multiple attempts to murder the victim.” She also said he poses “a high immediate danger to the victim.”
