A Timeline Of The Sam Wood Domestic Violence Assault Charges

Content Warning: This story contains references to and descriptions of domestic violence and assault

This is a developing story and was last updated Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 1:05 pm AEDT.

Sam Wood will apply for bail in the Supreme Court after the Magistrates Court refused him bail on charges of assaulting his wife, Snezana Wood, with Mr Wood denying the allegations, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald. Following his failed bail bid on Thursday, October 8 the former Bachelor star and millionaire fitness guru has been moved from a watchhouse in Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast to Brisbane Correctional Centre.

On Sunday, October 4, 2026, the Australian Financial Review broke the news that fitness entrepreneur and former Bachelor Australia star Sam Wood, 46, had been arrested and charged with domestic violence offences in Queensland, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm and strangulation. Following a Magistrates Court hearing on Thursday, October 8 where bail was denied police alleged that Wood became involved in a family dispute during which he assaulted and choked his wife and partner of 11 years, Snezana Wood.

During the October 8 court appearance, Wood and his lawyer mathew Cuskelly appeared before the court. As reported by the Brisbane Times, Wood appeared in prison greens via video link and denied the accusations of strangulation, while Cuskelly signalled a potential self-defence claim. Meanwhile, police prosecutors confirmed the complainant was supportive of the charges, having provided a recorded video statement detailing the alleged assault. It was revealed that Sam Wood’s stepdaughter dialled Triple Zero from the scene. Following the hearing, ABC confirmed that Sam Wood was denied bail, and will remain in custody pending his Supreme Court bail application and next scheduled court appearance on November 23.

To the public, Wood is the gold standard of reality TV success. Since finding love with his wife Snezana on season 3 of The Bachelor in 2015, Wood has built a wholesome and lucrative public profile across several businesses, including the fitness and nutrition program 28 by Sam Wood, The Woodshed, and most recently Ollo for Women, a telehealth venture providing weight loss advice for women in midlife. The sale of his business, 28 by Sam Wood, in 2022 to myDNA/DGB Health was worth a reported $71 million and his net worth, while unverified, is estimated to be between $9 and $15 million across real estate and business interests. But following the charges, Wood has sat behind bars this week.

A brief shared statement has been issued on Wood and Seneza’s personal and business social media accounts saying the family was experiencing a “difficult time.”

Below, find everything you need to know about the Sam Wood charges.

Skip To:

Timeline of Events

Bail Hearing and Alleged Incident

Supreme Court Bail Bid and Next Legal Steps

Corporate Fall Out And Public Response

Why Is Strangulation A Seperate Charge?

Sam Wood’s Business Empire

Sam Wood and Snezana’s Relationship

Timeline of Events:

Saturday, October 3, 2026: Reported Incident

. Police officers attended a Noosa address around 9 pm after receiving reports of an alleged domestic assault.

. As reported by AFR, the Queensland Ambulance Service confirmed paramedics were called to a private residence in Noosa and assessed one stable patient, who declined transport to the hospital.

. A 46-year-old Victorian man was arrested at the scene. Under Queensland law, the name of the victim cannot be published.

Sunday, October 4, 2026: News Broke

. News broke that police had formally charged Sam Wood with assault occasioning actual bodily harm (domestic violence) and strangulation in a domestic setting. According to The Guardian, he was refused police bail and remained in custody over the weekend.

Monday, October 5, 2026:

. On Monday, October 5, Wood appeared via video link at Maroochydore Magistrates Court while in police custody. He did not apply for bail, and the matter was adjourned until Thursday, October 6, 2026.

. Wood’s lawyer Mathew Cuskelly told AAP outside the courthouse that a “fulsome and well-prepared bail application” would be made and the charges against Wood defended.

. Meanwhile, a joint family statement was shared across Wood and Snezana’s Instagram accounts that read: “This is a difficult time for all of us: we are working through this as a family and are thoroughly cooperating with authorities.”

Thursday, October 8: Bail Hearing

In ordinary criminal matters, the legal system operates in favour of bail and requires police to prove the accused person poses an unacceptable risk. However, due to the severity of strangulation charges, the burden is on the accused’s legal team to convince the judge that keeping the accused in custody is not justified. A failure to receive bail is not evidence that the strangulation charge has been proven. Wood’s defence team is comprised of solicitor Mathew Cuskelly and barrister David Cole.

According to the Brisbane Times, Wood appeared in Maroochydore Magistrates Court via video-link wearing prison-issued green clothing. His lawyer Mathew Cuskelly told the court his client may claim self-defence, alleging the complainant had engaged with him in “a hostile manner.” Further, Wood has denied any accusation of strangulation.

Police prosecutor Jeanette Grigoris said the complainant was “supportive of the charges.” In a statement reported by the ABC, she told the court that police had obtained a video-recorded statement from the complainant who described “cessations of breath” and the “banging of her head on the floor… that she couldn’t breathe.” “The defendant only stopped when one of the children called out.”

“The victim refers to she thought [sic] she was going to die, and she was in fear of her safety,” Grigoris told the court.

According to the ABC, acting magistrate Janelle Boegheim outlined the alleged sequence of events leading up to the assault. Upon arriving home following dinner on a Saturday night, the court was told that Snezana Wood wanted to pack for a flight while Sam Wood wanted to go to bed.

“The applicant yelled at her and pushed the alleged victim into the wardrobe within the bedroom,” Boegheim said. “They both allegedly entered the hallway outside the bedroom where an alleged adult witness, the victim’s daughter, had told the applicant to stop yelling at the victim.” As reported by the Herald Sun, Wood allegedly walked aggressively towards his step-daughter, at which point Snezana put herself between the two, telling the defendant to “leave the daughter alone.”

Boegheim said that Mr Wood then:  “grabbed the alleged victim by the throat with one hand and thrown her against a wall in the hallway, striking her head”.

“Then, while keeping a firm hold of the alleged victim, he has thrown her to the ground, and whilst on the floor has held her throat, gripping tight and restricting her airway, preventing her from breathing,” she said.

Sam Wood’s adult step-daughter then made a Triple Zero call to police.

As reported by the Herald Sun Boegheim shared that the alleged victim had said Wood was prone to anger and that she felt she had to “walk on eggshells around him.”

She added: “To be clear, Wood contests the charges and is presumed innocent.”

Cuskelly argued that given the gravity of the alleged assault, there was insufficient evidence of the injury, saying that while two photos of the alleged victim were tendered, there were no photos of her neck.

“Given that seems to be the focus of the alleged assault, one would assume investigators would have photographed that particular area, but they are absent,” Cuskelly said. Grigoris countered, saying non-fatal strangulation often does not leave visible injury.

Describing the event, Cuskelly said: “My client’s step-daughter engaged with him in a hostile manner.”

“Mr Wood pushed his wife away.” “Ultimately, as all families have, there were problems… There was hostility, and the complainant moved towards him and continued to yell at him.”

Cuskelly also noted that Wood requested legal representation “two or three times” before denying the allegations at the scene.

Wood was supported in court by his father, Andrew Wood, who had tendered an affidavit in support of Wood and had flown from Tasmania for the hearing.

Lawyer Speaks To Same Wood’s Mental Health Issues During Bail Hearing:

Cuskelly additionally addressed Sam Wood’s diagnosed mental health issues, arguing he should be granted bail to seek help from mental health professionals while living with his father. “This is a man who has no prior history and (who) disputes the allegations,” Mr Cuskelly said. “Diagnosed with severe depression by a pre-eminent forensic psychologist [forensic and clinical psychologist Professor Ian Coyle], he ought to be given the opportunity to engage therapeutically with mental health professionals.”

Cuskelly added: “And my client had been enduring a hardship of trying to quarantine those hardships from his family for some period of time and it was agonising.”

“And also try to salvage something out of his professional reputation, which has taken a hell of a beating.”

A Prior Incident In Victoria:

As reported by the Herald, the court heard of an earlier incident in Victoria in which the alleged victim declined to make a criminal complaint to police. In her recorded statement, Snezana recounted the earlier alleged domestic violence incident in Melbourne, which was similar, and also involved alleged choking and being “thrown around.” Grigoris said that the earlier incident in Victoria would be admissible under recent changes to the law.

Police Dispute Psychologist’s Assessment:

Police prosecutor Jeanette Grigoris recommended the magistrate disregard the forensic psychologist’s assessment with regards to a bail application. “The [psychologist] refers to there being no history,” she said. “The bail affidavit clearly refers to a previous incident [of alleged violence] in Victoria. Itis similar [alleged] offendng… in my submission, [the Noosa incident] is escalating behaviour. I believe the [psychologist] did not have that information available to him.”

Sam Wood Denied Bail:

Police prosecutor Jeanette Grigoris opposed bail, saying there was an “unacceptable risk” of Wood interfering with witnesses. She argued that if he were bailed to Victoria, there would be an increased risk he would fail to return to Queensland. “[Mr Wood] was here on holidays… there is that risk he will not return to face charges before the court,” she said. “He does have the resources to essentially flee the jurisdiction.”

Grigoris said that if Wood were found guilty, he would likely face two years in prison. According to the ABC, when the decision was delivered, Wood placed his head in his hands.

Corporate Fallout And Public Response:

Corporate fallout has been swift for Wood, with several prominent businesses and public figures distancing themselves from him while the matter is before the courts. Public figures including former Bachelor star and mental health advocate and astrophysicist Dr Matt Agnew and actor Tammin Sursok are the most recent to distance themselves from Wood.

Dr Matt Agnew: High profile mental health advocate and former reality TV star Matt Agnew added his voice to the rollerdex of high profile contacts distancing themselves from Wood. Posting to Instagram he wrote: “I know Sam Wood. That does not soften where I stand. Domestic violence is abhorrent. I condemn it absolutely and unequivocally. Knowing someone is not a reason to look away. It is not a reason to stay quiet. If anything, it creates a greater responsibility to speak clearly. And on this, there is no ambiguity.”

Tammin Sursok: Australian actress Tammin Sursok has said she would “pause her partnership” with Sam Wood and his business. “In light of the reports, I have immediately paused my partnership with 28 by Sam Wood and removed related promotional content from my social channels while this matter is before the courts.”

. DBG Health: As reported by The Sydney Morning Herald, DBG Health — the parent company of myDNA, Ollo for Women, and 28 by Sam Wood—placed Wood on indefinite leave from his duties. Acting chief executive Mark Watkins issued a statement saying the company has “zero tolerance for domestic violence” and that they were “shocked and saddened by the allegations.”

. Foxes Den: Likewise, ready-meal provider Foxes Den, a partner of 28 by Sam Wood, has severed ties with the influencer. The company released a statement declaring: “Effective immediately, we are ending our association with Sam Wood.”

. Ambassadors & Coaches: Individual coaches and brand ambassadors have also distanced themselves. Tania Monk, a coach for the 28 menopause program, announced she would step away from the brand, citing her responsibility to protect her reputation and advocate for women. Additionally, Chattr reported that former Married at First Sight star Jules Robinson ended her partnership with the fitness platform, stating her commitment to supporting and empowering women will always come first.

.Tiffiny Hall: Personal trainer Tiffiny Hall also took to social media to clarify that her professional relationship with Wood’s company had ended prior to the news breaking, adding she was “shocked and disturbed” by the charges, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald.

. Online Community: Meanwhile, Wood’s 28 by Sam Wood Member Community, which has close to 96,000 members, has been set to “read-only” on Facebook, with members unable to create new posts, comment, or react to content.

Why Is Strangulation In A Domestic Setting A Separate Charge?

In 2018, strangulation was introduced as a separate charge to domestic assault given its high association with risk of future homicide. In a NSW Domestic Violence Death Review Team Report 2015-2017, it was found that suffocation was the second highest cause of death in female domestic violence homicides.

A report by the Queensland Coroners Court found that “experiencing non-fatal strangulation increases one’s risk of becoming an attempted homicide victim by 700%, and becoming a homicide victim by 800%.” Hence, the separate charge, which in Queensland carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison, as per the Queensland Criminal Code, Sect 315A.

Sam Wood’s Business Empire

Wood leveraged his reality television fame and wholesome image into a lucrative career in the wellness and fitness industry. As reported by The Sydney Morning Herald, he expanded his Brighton gym, The Woodshed, in 2016 and launched the workout and diet program 28 by Sam Wood. In 2022, he sold the 28 brand to myDNA (now owned by DBG Health) for a reported $71.2 million and was retained as the face of the brand. Most recently, Wood launched Ollo for Women, a telehealth-based weight-loss and nutrition platform targeting women over 40.

As per The Sydney Morning Herald, despite the appearance of success, in November last year it was revealed that Wood was being pursued for $7 million in unpaid taxes by the Australian Taxation Office. The deputy commissioner of taxation launched civil action in the County Court of Victoria in October 2025, seeking unpaid taxes for periods ending June 30, 2022, June 30, 2023, and June 30, 2024. The matter was settled privately and dismissed without adjudication in September 2026.

Relationship With Snezana And Rise To Bachelor Fame:

He and his wife Snezana, 45, are one of Australian reality TV dating’s biggest success stories. They met on set in 2015, when Snezana was one of 20 contestants competing for the affections of the personal trainer who, pre-reality TV, had been working in a south-east Melbourne gym. According to Wood, their connection was instant.

In 2016, the Bachelor contestant told Jules Sebastian in an episode of the podcast Tea With Jules that he knew they had something special on their first group date, despite the 20 other women vying for his attention. Snezana was a single mum from Perth studying a Bachelor of Science, and Wood shared that he was struck by her strength. Calling her a “beautiful and stunning woman”, he expanded: “On the show… you could see the stress of the show getting to a lot of the girls, but she didn’t flinch. She… was powerful, she was strong, she was calm… she had the biggest reason to crumble being away from her daughter, and that didn’t go unnoticed.”

This is a developing story.

Help Is Available:

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, support is available:

• Immediate Danger: Call 000 for emergency police and ambulance assistance.
• 1800RESPECT: Call 1800 737 732 or text 0458 737 732 (available 24/7 for confidential national counselling, information, and support). Online chat is also available at 1800respect.org.au.
• Lifeline: Call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention).
• Men’s Referral Service: Call 1300 766 491 (support and referral for men concerned about their own behaviour or relationships).
• Kids Helpline: Call 1800 55 1800 (confidential support for young people aged 5 to 25).
• 13YARN: Call 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).