PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – The Coast Guard has closed its investigation of the October death of Stratham lawyer Stephen Woods, who is presumed to have drowned after falling off his sailboat during a storm.

Woods, an experienced sailor, was sailing with his son Asher, 20, from Rockland, Maine, to Rye Harbor when he disappeared on Oct. 15.

Angela McArdle, a Coast Guard spokeswoman in Washington D.C., said the report on the investigation won’t be released pending a final review, but closing the case signifies that no criminal charges will be filed, the Portsmouth Herald reported Wednesday.

The 41-foot Naobi was lost for five days before it was found off Cape Cod on Oct. 20 with Asher Woods aboard. He said his father had fallen overboard days earlier.

No one could explain how an experienced sailor like Stephen Woods, who was 55, became lost at sea. There also were conflicting reports about whether lifejackets were aboard.

McArdle said the Portland, Maine, Coast Guard led the investigation.

Woods’ wife, Deborah, declined to comment Tuesday.