Sam Wood denied bail after domestic violence charges on Queensland's Sunshine Coast

Queensland Police said officers were called to an address in Noosa at about 9pm on Saturday and charged a 46-year-old Victorian man with assault occasioning bodily harm (domestic violence) and strangulation in a domestic setting. A source with knowledge of the situation confirmed the man is Sam Wood, the Melbourne-based fitness guru who rose to fame on season three of The Bachelor in 2015. The alleged victim cannot be identified under Queensland law.

Wood was refused police bail and remains behind bars ahead of his court appearance. Family and business contacts were approached for comment but did not respond.

The charges come after a period of legal and financial difficulty for Wood. In November 2025, it emerged the Australian Taxation Office was pursuing him for more than $7 million in unpaid taxes. The Deputy Commissioner of Taxation launched civil action in the County Court of Victoria in October 2025 for tax periods ending June 2022, June 2023 and June 2024. That matter was resolved in September 2026, with an agreement reached and the case dismissed without adjudication.

Wood built an online fitness and nutrition business, 28 by Sam Wood, after The Bachelor and sold it to genomics group myDNA for $71 million in 2022. He remained the face of the platform under the new owner. About four months ago, he was announced as the face of Ollo For Women, a medical weight-loss, nutrition and telehealth platform targeting women aged 40 and over.

Analysis

Why This Matters

A high-profile public figure facing serious domestic violence charges raises questions about accountability and the prevalence of domestic violence across all levels of society.
The charges could have significant commercial repercussions for Wood's fitness and wellness businesses, which rely heavily on his personal brand.
The case will test Queensland's domestic violence laws, including the strangulation offence which carries serious penalties.

Background

Sam Wood became a household name after appearing on The Bachelor in 2015, where he met his wife Snezana. He leveraged that fame to build a multi-million-dollar fitness empire, selling his 28 by Sam Wood platform to myDNA in 2022 while remaining its public face. More recently he became the face of Ollo For Women, a telehealth and weight-loss platform. His business success was overshadowed last year by a tax dispute with the ATO, which was resolved out of court in September.

Key Perspectives

Queensland Police: They have laid charges including strangulation in a domestic setting, a serious offence, and opposed bail, indicating the alleged severity of the incident. Wood's business partners: Entities such as myDNA and Ollo For Women will be assessing the reputational impact and potential contractual implications of their ambassador's arrest. Domestic violence advocates: They will be watching the case closely, urging the justice system to treat the matter with the same seriousness as any other domestic violence case, regardless of the accused's profile.

What to Watch

The outcome of Wood's bail application at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday.
Whether his business partners issue statements or distance themselves from him.
The progress of the court case and any future hearings.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Background

Key Perspectives

What to Watch

Sources