A former Australian reality television star has been charged with murder after her partner’s dismembered remains were discovered in their South Australia apartment, with police still searching for the victim’s severed head.
Tamika Chesser, 34, who appeared on “Beauty and the Geek Australia” in 2010, was arrested and charged with murder following the discovery of 39-year-old Julian Story’s remains at a Port Lincoln apartment on June 19. Police responded to reports of a small fire at the property around 3:30 p.m. local time when they made the gruesome discovery.
According to court documents obtained by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, emergency services were initially called after a neighbor reported smoke coming from Chesser’s unit. A witness told police he observed smoke and asked Chesser what she was doing, to which she replied “nothing” before taking her dogs for a walk and locking the front door. Concerned about the fire spreading, the witness entered through the rear door with buckets of water to extinguish smoldering clothing and debris in the bathroom.
When police arrived, they discovered Story’s severely burnt and disfigured remains in the bathroom. Chesser was found seated in a garden chair in the rear yard in what court documents described as a catatonic and unresponsive state. Police believe Story was killed around midnight on June 17, two days before his body was discovered.
Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke of the Major Crime Investigation Section confirmed during a June 27 press conference that Story’s head had been removed during the dismemberment and remains missing despite extensive searches. Fielke stated, “Recovering Julian’s head to return it to his family so they can have a peaceful outcome, have a funeral, and lay him to rest, is a really important aspect for us.”
Authorities have released closed-circuit television footage and images showing a woman believed to be Chesser walking through Port Lincoln with three dogs shortly after the alleged murder. The footage shows the individual dressed entirely in black, including a head covering, walking down the pavement. Police are appealing to residents to review any surveillance or dashcam footage that might assist in tracking Chesser’s movements between midnight on June 17 and the afternoon of June 19.
Fielke indicated that Chesser did not regularly use a vehicle and was known to walk around the township frequently. He noted that while Chesser was cooperative at the time of her arrest, investigators have not identified an obvious motive for the killing. Police confirmed that Chesser and Story were in a relationship and had only recently arrived in Port Lincoln.
Chesser appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court on June 27 via video link from James Nash House, a psychiatric facility where she is being held under a mental health detention order. A suppression order preventing her identification was lifted during the court appearance. She was denied bail and is scheduled to return to court in December for a committal hearing.
In addition to the murder charge, Chesser faces charges for disposing of human remains to pervert the course of justice and assaulting a police officer.
The former reality star was the runner-up on the 2010 season of “Beauty and the Geek Australia,” a show that pairs attractive contestants with intellectually gifted participants for various challenges. She has also worked as a model, appearing in publications including Playboy, Ralph and FHM.
Chesser’s sister, Kiya-May, told media outlets that her family has been devastated by the charges. She described her sister as experiencing mental psychosis and indicated that Chesser had endured a life of trauma and abuse. The sister emphasized that the alleged actions were completely out of character for Chesser.
Story’s family released a statement through police expressing gratitude for the support they have received from law enforcement, emergency services, and the community. They described navigating an unimaginable loss and thanked those whose kindness and support have helped them through the ordeal. The family indicated this would be their only public statement and directed all further inquiries to the South Australia Police.
Ian Parrott, South Australia Police assistant commissioner, acknowledged the complexity of the crime scene and indicated that many questions remain unanswered in the investigation. He noted that understanding the exact nature of what occurred will require additional time, given the circumstances of the case.
The investigation continues as police work to locate Story’s missing remains and piece together the events leading to his death. Authorities have emphasized the importance of recovering all of Story’s remains to provide closure for his family and allow them to proceed with funeral arrangements.
