Detectives are calling for the public’s help to track the movements of a former Beauty and the Geek contestant who is accused of murdering her partner, as police continue to search for some of his remains.
Warning: This story contains content some readers may find distressing.
Tamika Chesser, 34, has been charged with the murder of her partner Julian Story, 39, at the couple’s home on the Flinders Highway in Port Lincoln on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula.
Chesser, 34, was arrested at the scene.
“We know that after his alleged murder, Julian was dismembered,” Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke told media this afternoon.
Fielke said police had not yet recovered Story’s head and were calling for the public’s help to track Chesser’s movements.
“It is crucial that we locate Julian’s head,” Fielke said.
“I can only imagine the grief this is causing Julian’s family.
“Julian’s family are devastated.”
He said police believe Story was murdered about midnight on Tuesday, June 17.
Police are seeking to identify Chesser’s movements between June 17 and the afternoon of Thursday, June 19, when she was arrested.
He said police were asking locals to review any CCTV or dashcam footage from that time and showed CCTV images of a woman, alleged to be Chesser, walking three dogs while dressed in a black hooded outfit.
Fielke said she often went walking with up to three dogs.
“She doesn’t really use a vehicle,” he said.
“Hopefully people will call in with Tamika’s movements, and ultimately that might assist us with locating Julian.”
He said Julian was born and raised in Port Lincoln, while Tamika had only recently moved to the area.
Fielke said police had not determined a motive.
”We’ve discounted any religious motivation. By the way she’s dressed you could suggest that would be the case, but we’ve discounted that,” he said, referring to the CCTV.
He said both Story and Chesser had previously been known to police.
“There’s a number of aspects I can’t talk about today,” Fielke said.
Chesser was charged with murder, disposing of human remains to pervert the course of justice and assaulting a police officer.
Her identity has been revealed after Magistrate Ben Sale lifted a suppression order on it in Adelaide Magistrates Court this morning.
She appeared in court via video link today and was refused bail when she first appeared last week via a bedside hearing.
She is being held under a mental health detention order.
Sale lifted the suppression order, which had also prevented the publication of Story’s name, the alleged circumstances of his death and the investigation.
Chesser will reappear at a committal hearing in December.
She appeared on the reality TV show Beauty and the Geek in 2010, placing second.
Story’s family have released a statement via SA Police.
“On behalf of our family, we want to sincerely thank the South Australian Police, emergency services, and first responders for their compassion and professionalism during this devastating time,” the statement reads.
“We are navigating an unimaginable loss, and your care has brought comfort amid the chaos.
“We are also deeply grateful to our family and friends and this extraordinary community whose kindness and support have helped carry us through.
“Your prayers, presence, and quiet strength mean more than words can say.”
