Tamika Chesser was once a reality TV star – now she stands accused of committing a horrific murder. We take a look at the latest development in the hunt for her alleged victim
Former reality star Tamika Chesser is accused of murdering and decapitating her partner in a grisly case that has shocked Australia. The 34-year-old, who appeared in series two of Beauty and the Geek back in 2010, is accused of killing Julian Story on or around June 17.
On June 19, neighbours of Story’s called the emergency services after spotting smoke coming from the apartment the couple shared in the South Australian fishing port of Port Lincoln. Julian, 38, was subsequently found dismembered and missing his head on the bathroom floor of the unit.
According to ABC, police documents said officers had discovered “deceased remains which were severely burnt and disfigured” at the property. “The accused was seated in a garden chair in the rear yard adjacent to unit 3 in an unresponsive and catatonic state at this time,” the official report added.
READ MORE: Beauty and the Geek star charged with murder after boyfriend’s decapitated body found
Chesser was arrested and charged with murder. The former TV star was taken to Port Lincoln hospital, before being admitted to forensic mental health care facility James Nash House.
The murder suspect is alleged to have used a bag to transport Julian’s head to an unknown location and police officers and disaster volunteer organisation SES went onto scour cliffs, parks and bushland in the town, as well as the ocean around the pier and bay area. But in a major update, the multi-agency search has been called off.
South Australian police said in a statement: “Intensive searching using these resources has been paused for now but may resume at a later stage. Investigators are now in the process of reviewing a significant amount of CCTV footage to determine any other areas for searching and may return to Port Lincoln. Police wish to reassure the public that the accused remains in custody charged with murder, and that this was not a random incident.”
CCTV images show Chesser walking three dogs and carrying a bag while wearing a Hijab-style head covering. Detectives are keen to pin down more of her movements in the week of the murder, particularly between midnight on June 17 and and 3.30pm on June 19, with locals asked to review any CCTV or dashcam footage.
“We know that Tamika did not drive a vehicle and regularly walked around the township of Port Lincoln,” said Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke. “We are appealing to anyone who can help us to identify Tamika’s movements to please contact police. We are releasing the details of this horrific crime because it is vital for Julian’s family to peacefully lay him to rest.”
Chesser appeared at Adelaide Magistrates Court last Friday, with a date set for her to return in December. As he appealed for information, Det Supt Fielke said Julian’s family were keen to lay their loved one to rest.
“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,” he told a news conference.