Former reality TV star and fitness guru Sam Wood has been transferred to Queensland’s highest-security prison after being refused bail on domestic violence charges involving his wife, Snezana.
Wood has been moved to a separate wing at Wolston Correctional Centre in Wacol, Brisbane, under a safety order designed to protect him from other prisoners who may target him following his arrest. He will be subject to regular welfare checks.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Sam Wood isolated in jail under safety order
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Wolston houses some of the state’s most notorious offenders, including Brett Peter Cowan, who was convicted of murdering schoolboy Daniel Morcombe, and Gerard Baden-Clay, who was convicted of murdering his wife, Allison.
Wood, 46, was arrested at a property on Hastings St in Noosa, Sunshine Coast, on October 3 and charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and strangulation in a domestic setting.
During his bail hearing at Maroochydore Magistrates Court, the court heard the alleged incident began after the family returned from dinner, when Snezana wanted to pack for their flight home the following morning, while Wood wanted to go to bed.
Acting Magistrate Janelle Boegheim told the court Wood allegedly yelled at Snezana and pushed her into a wardrobe.
The pair then moved into the hallway, where Snezana’s daughter Eve, 21, reportedly told Wood to stop yelling at her mother.
The court heard Wood then allegedly moved aggressively towards Eve, prompting Snezana to step between them and tell him to leave her daughter alone.
Wood allegedly grabbed Snezana by the throat, threw her against a wall and then to the floor, restricting her airway.
The court heard Snezana told police she feared she would die and had been choked to the “cessation of breath”. The alleged incident stopped when Eve called out, and she later called triple-0.
Wood denies the allegations. His lawyer, Mathew Cuskelly, told the court Wood denied strangling his wife and may argue self-defence, alleging Snezana had moved towards him and continued yelling before he pushed her away.
He was refused bail by Acting Magistrate Janelle Boegheim at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday with the seriousness of the charges and concerns he could flee Queensland among the factors cited by prosecutors, who pointed to his Melbourne home, lack of local connections and resources to leave the jurisdiction.
Fitness empire moves on without Wood (Is 28 finally out of the Woods?)
Wood rose to fame on The Bachelor Australia in 2015 where he met his now wife Snezana before building a fitness and nutrition empire around his 28-day program.
He sold the business to Melbourne-based myDNA in a $71 million deal in 2022 but remained the public face of the brand.
Pharmaceutical company DBG Health, which now owns the business, terminated all commercial arrangements with Wood following the charges.
The fallout has since become increasingly visible, with his name and logo painted over at his Brighton East gym and “by Sam Wood” dropped from the brand, now known simply as 28.
Now operating under new leadership, the business has announced the reopening of its 28 Member Community Facebook group after weeks of restricted access.
The group, which connects members of its fitness and nutrition program, will initially open at set times rather than 24/7.
“This helps our team keep up with posts and make sure this stays a safe and supportive place for everyone,” a statement read.
“Thank you for bearing with us and having some patience as we find our feet again.”
The update did not mention Wood by name but ended by directing members to 1800RESPECT for support with domestic, family or sexual violence.
Former Bachelor alumni Matt Agnew and Matty J have both spoken out, while Married at First Sight alum Jules Robinson, Fitness After 40 founder Tania Monk and actress Tammin Sursok have distanced themselves from Wood or his brand.
Wood’s Lawyer had said last week an application challenging the bail refusal would be made “imminently” in the Queensland Supreme Court.
Wood is expected to appear at the Sunshine Coast court on November 23.
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.
