Celebrity fitness trainer Sam Wood could rely on self-defence if domestic violence allegations involving his wife proceed to trial, a court has heard.
However, Queensland Police told Maroochydore Magistrates Court on the Sunshine Coast that officers had previously attended a “similar” incident in Victoria, although no complaint was made at the time.
Wood’s solicitor, Mathew Cuskelly, said his client denied strangling or assaulting his wife at a holiday apartment in Noosa on Saturday night.
Mr Cuskelly said police would allege that Wood’s stepdaughter, Eve, had been hostile before her mother, Snezana, approached him and he pushed her away.
“My client may indeed be entitled to a self-defence argument,” Mr Cuskelly told the court. “These are matters that need to be further explored.”
Sergeant Janette Grigoris told the court that police had been called to an earlier incident in Victoria that was “similar in nature”, but said the alleged victim did not make a formal complaint.
Sergeant Grigoris said Eve had called Triple Zero and reported that the victim had allegedly been choked.
She said Snezana had not provided police with a formal statement, but had given her account of events in a recorded video.
“At this stage the complainant and her children returned to Victoria the following morning,” Sgt Grigoris said.
“However, Your Honour, police are in possession of the video-recorded statement.”
“In my submission, it’s strong evidence in terms of the offence.”
Sergeant Grigoris said Snezana described being choked, having her head banged against the floor and struggling to breathe.
She told police the alleged attack stopped only after one of the children called out.
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 multimillionaire has remained in the Maroochydore watchhouse on the Sunshine Coast since being arrested at the holiday property on Saturday.
Wood had been staying at the $3,000-a-night beachfront apartment in the La Mer complex with Snezana, their three young children and his 21-year-old stepdaughter.
A Queensland Police spokesperson said officers went to the Hastings Street address at about 9pm on Saturday after receiving a report 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 guests staying at La Mer told the Daily Mail they realised something was wrong after 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.
Two more guests told the Daily Mail they saw police and an ambulance outside La Mer ‘after dinner in the late evening’.
Wood did not appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday, when he was represented by lawyer Mathew Cuskelly (above)
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 did not appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday, when he was represented by Brisbane lawyer and private investigator Mathew Cuskelly.
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Mr Cuskelly said Wood intended to defend the charges and was in good spirits but was concerned for his family and eager to return to Victoria.
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.
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
DBG Health quickly distanced itself from Wood on Monday, stating it had ‘zero tolerance’ for domestic violence.
‘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, Wood was sacked by the company.
‘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.
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 her 21-year-old stepdaughter
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
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 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 issued a shared statement to Instagram following the alleged domestic violence incident
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.