Man ‘tries to kill and dump wife at sea' – but she grabs boat and survives
According to court documents, Douglas Naeher, 60, was in a bad mood when the couple set off from the Florida coast on the fishing trip, and snapped when the rod line broke.
Fearing a confrontation with her husband of three years, she leapt off the boat and clung to a pool noodle – a cylindrical piece of foam – to stay afloat, while hanging on to a rope attached to the craft.
Mr Naeher is alleged to have untied the rope and driven off at speed, leaving his wife stranded, 33 miles off the Florida coast.
'The victim then stated the defendant was leaving her there to die,' according to the documents filed at the Manatee County Court in Florida.
He then hauled her back on board after another boat sailed into view.
'I'm going to kill you'
Then, Mr Naeher allegedly repeatedly punched her in the head as well as stomping on her, before dragging her to the back of the boat by her hair and trying to strangle her, then drown her.
'I'm going to kill you,' Mr Naeher allegedly shouted while throttling her with both hands and submerging her head.
With his wife back in the water, he then powered off, unaware that his alleged victim had locked her feet onto a ladder.
The woman is said to have clung on, and was able to climb back on board when the boat docked at the family's home in Holmes Beach, Florida, at which point she alerted the police.
She was treated in the hospital for an array of injuries, including a swollen right eye, severe bruising, and a concussion.
Mr Naeher was arrested on Monday and was charged with attempted first-degree murder.
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