Wife of former AFL star Ricky Olarenshaw arrested in Bali sex raids

Essendon premiership star Ricky Olarenshaw has left Bali amid claims he was part-owner of a spa allegedly involved in “prostitution practices”.

Rick Olarenshaw playing for Essendon in 1996.

Essendon premiership star Ricky Olarenshaw has left Bali amid claims he was a part owner of a spa allegedly engaged in prostitution.

The long-time resident of the Indonesian party island has allegedly abandoned his wife, influencer Sarnanitha, who has now been arrested, and young daughter just before police raided Flame Spa massage parlour last month.

Bali police are reported to have uncovered alleged “prostitution practices” at the spa located in Seminyak, with the three Flame Spa massage parlour branches in Bali now reportedly closed.

Olarenshaw and his business partners are believed to have returned to Australia just before the raids took place.

It is not clear whether Olarenshaw or the other alleged owners had any knowledge of the goings-on at Flame.

Prostitution and sex work is illegal in Bali and considered a crime against “decency and morality” with district police periodically enforcing the law by carrying out raids on the party island.

James Hird and Rick Olarenshaw of the Bombers celebrate winning the 1993 AFL Grand Final. Picture: Getty Images

At the time of the raids head of public relations of the Bali Police, senior commissioner of police Jansen Avitus Panjaitan, said that three women were arrested during the raid.

“The three people are Flame Spa employees, one manager and two receptionists,” Jansen said in his statement in Denpasar last month adding the case was still under investigation.

Olarenshaw’s wife Sarnanitha, who is named as a commissioner at Flame Spa, was later arrested along with director “Purnami” on October 4 and are languishing in Bali police detention cell with the three other spa staff.

“The next process is to immediately obtain legal certainty,” said Jansen.

According to the police, the service rates at Flames Spa — which has the motto “our service is more than just a sensual massage, it is an erotic experience. Our aim is to ignite your flame”, range from $189 to $283 per session.

Flame Spa in Bali.

Inside the Flame Spa.

Flame Spa, where Olarenshaw last year celebrated his 50th “Playboy themed” birthday and was pictured in happier times with his wife, is under the directorship of Ni Ketut Sri Astari which is Sarnanitha’s name.

An influencer and business owner known as Sarnanitha, she has more than 20,000 followers on social media.

She is currently fighting to avoid a lengthy stint in jail and is worried her young daughter with Olarenshaw will be taken away from her.

Sarnanitha, through her lawyer, Donny Tri Istiqomah, made a statement before being detained by police which has been seen by Page 13. According to her, Flame Spa belongs to Olarenshaw and three other Australian citizens.

She states the sensual massage leading to prostitution was run by Olarenshaw and his Australian business partners and felt exploited in the management of Flame Spa which provides sensual massage services.

The Flame Spa workers who are under arrest in Bali. Picture: Bali Police

It is illegal in Bali for a business to be owned by foreign citizens. In Sarnanitha’s statement she says “it has become common knowledge that the majority of businesses in Bali are owned by foreigners which are done illegally ... In some cases, including Flame Spa, the easiest and safest way to keep their business under their control is to marry Balinese women, then the business is in the name of his wife.”

Olarenshaw was a member of the ‘Baby Bombers’ 1993 premiership side.

In the statement she also alleges that after she and Olarenshaw separated earlier this year, the other shareholders threatened her to hand over the unpaid dividends or else they would imprison Sarnanitha along with other Flame staff “through their network in the police.”

The Herald Sun is not saying her allegations are true only that it has been made.

Page 13 has seen correspondence confirming this between the alleged Flame Australian business owners. None of the alleged men have responded to Page 13’s inquiries when asked about their involvement in Flame Spa.

Olarenshaw is known as ‘The King of Bali’ in AFL circles and last year drew headlines for his “epic” 50th birthday bash, surrounded by pole dancers and scantily clad women.

He moved to the island paradise in 2013 and became a successful businessman off the back of three F45 gym studios.

Rick Olarenshaw.

Olarenshaw was a member of the “Baby Bombers” 1993 premiership side alongside superstars James Hird, Dustin Fletcher and Mark Mercuri. He became a driving force for AFL in Bali, coaching and playing for the local Geckos football team.

Many AFL superstars — including Brownlow Medallist Dustin Martin, Dane Swan and Jordan De Goey — have trained and played with the Geckos during their off-season break.

Olarenshaw has been long known as the go-to man for AFL stars wanting to party in Bali over the past decade.

Olarenshaw’s Playboy-themed 50th in Bali. Pictures: Facebook

One of his former teammates Wayne Carey — he switched to North Melbourne for one season at the end of his career — has been a regular with his Instagram full of well-known football identities such as Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin and Ricky Nixon.

Olarenshaw played 77 games for Essendon - his debut year was in ‘93 - before spending two seasons at Collingwood in 1999-2000 where he only played five games. He then spent one season at North Melbourne for just one senior appearance before announcing his retirement.

He then moved into a role with Channel 7 as a boundary rider for a number of seasons before being replaced in 2010 by Matthew Richardson.

The Herald Sun is not suggesting any of Olarenshaw’s footy contacts ever used Flame Spa’s services or had any knowledge of it when visiting Bali. When contacted Olarenshaw did not respond to questions put forward by the Herald Sun.