Former Bachelor star and fitness entrepreneur Sam Wood has traded luxury holidays, waterfront living and a multimillion-dollar business empire for life inside one of Queensland’s busiest prisons.
The 46-year-old is expected to spend the coming weeks at Brisbane Correctional Centre after being refused bail over domestic violence charges relating to an alleged incident involving his wife, Snezana, in Noosa on October 3.
The court heard Snezana told police she had been choked to “cessation of breath” and thought she was going to die.
She also described having her head banged against the floor and being unable to breathe, with the alleged assault stopping when someone called out.
Wood’s lawyer told the court his client denied strangling Snezana and may be entitled to argue self-defence, saying there had been hostilities and that Snezana had moved towards him and continued yelling before he pushed her away.
WA’s biggest courts and crime stories to your inbox
Sign-up to our weekly newsletter for free
Sign up
The court heard Wood’s stepdaughter, Eve Markoski-Wood, 21, intervened during the alleged incident and called triple-0.
Wood has reportedly instructed his legal team to take his bail bid to the Supreme Court of Queensland.
The couple and their four children were enjoying school holidays at a luxury Noosa apartment at the Sunshine Coast when Wood allegedly strangled his wife.
After several days in custody, Wood was transferred to the high-security facility in Wacol on Friday morning, following his appearance at Maroochydore Magistrates Court and failed bail application on Thursday.
For a man who built a career promoting health, wellness and family life, the move marks a dramatic change in circumstances.
Upon arriving at Brisbane Correctional Centre, inmates are issued prison-green clothing, photographed and may undergo a psychological assessment before being assigned accommodation.
Most prisoners are housed in shared cells fitted with a bed, toilet and shower, while new arrivals are often placed in the prison’s S6 unit.
Designed to house 60 prisoners, the unit has reportedly been affected by overcrowding due to tough crime legislation in Queensland.
Wood’s days are now shaped by the prison’s daily routine, with set times for meals, lock-ins and movement around the facility.
Bizarre email sent while behind bars
A scheduled marketing email sent to subscribers on Sunday continued to promote Wood’s fitness challenge, despite the trainer already being in custody after his arrest and being charged.
The email opened: “G’day, it’s Sam here” before reminding subscribers that summer was eight weeks away and urging them to sign up for his final pre-summer eight-week challenge.
“The difference is what you decide today,” it read.
“It’s the last intake that gets you there in time,” the email said, promoting the program at $12.50 a week.
DBG Health, which owns 28, announced in a statement on Tuesday the personal trainer was officially terminated following his arrest.
Wood rose to national fame after starring on The Bachelor in 2015, when he met his now-wife Snezana, later transforming his profile into a multimillion-dollar fitness business and becoming one of Australia’s most successful wellness entrepreneurs.
Wood has been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and strangulation in a domestic setting.
He has not entered pleas and is expected to return to Maroochydore Magistrates Court in November.