Snezana Wood feared her celebrity personal trainer husband, Sam Wood, was going to kill her during an alleged domestic violence incident at their $3,000-a-night holiday apartment, a court has heard.
Police also told Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast about an earlier “similar” incident in Victoria that did not progress at the time.
Wood, 46, was refused bail on Thursday and will remain in custody following his arrest on Saturday night. Police were called to the family’s luxury apartment on Noosa’s Hastings Street.
Sergeant Janette Grigoris told the bail hearing that Wood’s 21-year-old stepdaughter, Eve, called Triple Zero and “referred to the victim having been choked”.
The prosecutor said Snezana believed she was going to die and was now afraid of possible retaliation from Wood.
Sgt Grigoris said Snezana had not yet provided police with a formal statement but had recorded an account of the alleged incident on video.
According to Sgt Grigoris, Snezana said she had been choked, had struck her head on the floor and was unable to breathe.
She told police the alleged attack stopped only after one of the children called out.
The court heard Snezana supported criminal charges being brought against Wood.
Wood was staying in a $3,000-a-night beachfront apartment in the La Mer complex with his wife Snezana (both pictured), their three young children and his 21-year-old stepdaughter
“The complainant and her children returned to Victoria the following morning,” Sgt Grigoris said.
“However, police are in possession of the video-recorded statement. In my submission, it’s strong evidence in terms of the offence.”
Sgt Grigoris said Wood had made “partial admissions” during a recorded interview, including mentioning an argument that took place in the bedroom.
“He’s essentially victim-blaming in my submission,” she told the court.
The prosecutor also referred to a “previous” incident in Victoria that was “similar in nature”. Police had attended, but the alleged victim did not make a complaint.
Sergeant Grigoris said Wood’s behaviour had been “escalating”.
Wood’s solicitor, Mathew Cuskelly, said his client denied strangling or assaulting his wife.
The court heard Wood could rely on self-defence if domestic violence charges relating to the alleged attack on his wife proceeded to trial.
Wood did not appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday, when he was represented by lawyer Mathew Cuskelly (above)
Mr Cuskelly said police would allege that stepdaughter Eve had been hostile, Snezana approached Wood and he pushed her away.
‘My client may indeed be entitled to self-defence argument,’ Mr Cuskelly said. ‘These are matters that need to be further explored.’
While a paramedic had made a statement there was an injury to the left side of Snezana’s head, Mr Cuskelly said two tendered photographs did not show that injury.
The lawyer added: ‘He repeatedly denied that this had occurred. Where’s the injuries to her throat? They’re not there.
‘My client denies committing these offences.
‘He’s never been before the courts before. He’s a businessman [and] Mr Wood’s depression is regarded as extremely severe.’
Wood asked to be bailed to an address in Victoria, but Sgt Grigoris said that would increase his risk of failing to appear when the matter returned to court as he had no ties to Queensland.
Sgt Grigoris said the most important factor when determining whether or not to grant Wood bail was the safety and protection of Snezana and their children.
Wood’s stepdaughter Eve posted a video from the family’s Noosa getaway (above) to social media on Saturday, just hours before he was arrested and charged
The multimillionaire has been held in the Maroochydore watchhouse on the Sunshine Coast since his arrest at the holiday unit on Saturday.
Wood was staying in a $3,000-a-night beachfront apartment in the La Mer complex with his wife, their three young children and his 21-year-old stepdaughter.
A police spokesperson said officers attended the Hastings Street address about 9pm on Saturday after receiving reports of alleged domestic violence.
‘Police have charged a 46-year-old Victorian man with domestic violence offences early this morning, 4 October,’ the spokesperson said.
‘The man has been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm (domestic violence) and strangulation in a domestic setting.’
Other holidaymakers staying at La Mer told Our News Outlet they first became aware something was wrong when police and paramedics arrived at the building.
One guest said she had not heard any disturbance beforehand but saw a woman let paramedics into the Woods’ apartment.
A woman was later taken away by paramedics.
The guest also witnessed Wood being questioned by police before he was driven the 45km south to the Maroochydore watchhouse.
Wood was staying in a $3,000-a-night beachfront apartment in the La Mer complex (above) with his wife, their three young children and his 21-year-old stepdaughter
Two more guests told Our News Outlet they saw police and an ambulance outside La Mer ‘after dinner in the late evening’.
A man said he had seen the Woods at the apartment during their stay but did not witness any altercations or arguments.
A woman said Wood’s youngest child had sleepwalked and left the unit during the family’s vacation.
She said the rest of the family packed up and left La Mer after Wood was taken into custody.
Wood and his 45-year-old wife, who met on the third season of The Bachelor in 2015, publicly addressed the domestic violence allegations on Monday morning.
‘This is a difficult time for all of us, we are working through this as a family and are thoroughly co-operating with the authorities,’ each said on their respective Instagram accounts.
Wood founded fitness and training business 28 by Sam Wood, which he sold for $71million to DBG Health in 2022 while remaining the face of the online platform under its new owner.
DBG Health quickly distanced itself from Wood on Monday, stating it had ‘zero tolerance’ for domestic violence.
Wood (above) and his 45-year-old wife, who met on the third season of The Bachelor in 2015, publicly addressed the domestic violence allegations on Monday morning
‘While the matter is under investigation and before the court, Sam Wood is on indefinite leave from his duties,’ a spokesperson said.
‘Our thoughts are with the family and anyone in the community affected by domestic violence.
‘Mark Watkins, 28 Group’s Chief Operating Officer, will be leading the business in Sam Wood’s absence.’
On Tuesday, the company cut all ties with Wood.
‘Yesterday, DBG Health announced Mr Wood had been placed on indefinite leave,’ a statement read.
‘As a result of further considerations, DBG Health has now terminated all arrangements.’
In addition to the fitness empire parting ways with Wood, other businesses and social media identities are following suit.
Pre-packaged meal company Foxes Den cut ties with Wood on Monday after having worked with him for the past six years.
Celebrity trainer Tiffiny Hall, who had strong links to 28 by Sam Wood, also confirmed she was no longer affiliated with the brand.
Wood remains the owner of The Woodshed gym in Melbourne.
The Woods issued a shared statement to Instagram following the alleged domestic violence incident
The entrepreneur married single mother Snezana Markoski in an outdoor ceremony in Byron Bay on the NSW north coast in 2018.
They have three young daughters and Wood is stepfather to Eve, his wife’s daughter from a previous relationship.
Eve posted a video from the family’s Noosa getaway to social media on Saturday, just hours before her stepfather was arrested and charged.
The footage was filmed by Eve’s mother on Friday, as the pair appeared to enjoy a day out.
‘It is a beautiful sunny day in Noosa,’ Eve wrote. ‘I am just off to grab a coffee and something to eat.’
The Woods live in Brighton, a coastal suburb in Melbourne where they recently bought a $7million home.
Wood came under scrutiny in November 2025 after it emerged the Australian Taxation Office was pursuing him for more than $7million in allegedly unpaid taxes.
The ATO’s deputy commissioner launched civil proceedings against Wood seeking amounts relating to the financial years ending June 30, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
A recent court update shows the dispute was resolved by agreement, with the case dismissed without adjudication in September.
