A former contestant on “Beauty and the Geek Australia” has been charged with murder after her partner was found dismembered in their Port Lincoln apartment, with police still searching for the victim’s missing head.
Tamika Chesser, 34, was arrested and charged with murder following the discovery of 39-year-old Julian Story’s remains on June 19, 2025. Police responded to reports of a small fire at the South Australia apartment around 3:30 p.m. local time and made the grim discovery upon arrival.
According to court documents obtained by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, a neighbor had observed smoke coming from the apartment and confronted Chesser about the situation. When asked what she was doing, Chesser reportedly told the neighbor “nothing” before taking her dogs for a walk and locking the front door.
The concerned neighbor entered the apartment through the rear door with buckets of water to extinguish what he found to be a bundle of smoldering clothing rags and debris in the bathroom. Emergency services were subsequently called to the scene.
Police documents revealed that officers discovered severely burnt and disfigured human remains in the bathroom. When authorities arrived, they found Chesser seated in a garden chair in the backyard in what officials described as a catatonic and unresponsive state.
Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke of the Major Crime Investigation Section confirmed at a Friday press conference that Story’s body had been dismembered and that his head had been removed. Fielke indicated, “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.”
Investigators believe Story was killed around midnight on June 17, approximately two days before his remains were discovered. The South Australia Police have released CCTV footage and images showing a woman believed to be Chesser walking through Port Lincoln with three dogs shortly after the alleged murder occurred.
The surveillance footage shows the individual dressed entirely in black, including a head covering, captured just hours after the killing. Police have appealed to local residents to review any CCTV or dashcam footage that might assist in tracking Chesser’s movements between midnight on June 17 and the afternoon of June 19.
Fielke noted that Chesser did not drive a vehicle and regularly walked around the township of Port Lincoln. Authorities indicated that Chesser had only recently arrived in Port Lincoln and that she and Story were in a relationship together, which investigators are exploring as part of their inquiry.
The detective superintendent stated that no obvious motive has been established at this stage of the investigation, and that Chesser was compliant at the time of her arrest. Police characterized the crime scene as confronting for emergency services personnel who responded.
Chesser appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court on June 27 via video link from psychiatric facility James Nash House, where she is being held under a mental health detention order. A suppression order preventing her identification was lifted during the court appearance.
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. She was denied bail and is scheduled to return to court for a committal hearing in December.
Chesser appeared on the 2010 season of “Beauty and the Geek Australia,” a reality television show that pairs contestants chosen for their looks or intellect through various challenges. She finished as runner-up on her season and has also worked as a model, appearing in publications including Playboy, Ralph and FHM.
Chesser’s sister, Kiya-May, spoke to Daily Mail Australia, indicating that the alleged actions were not characteristic of her sibling. She described Chesser as having experienced a life of trauma and abuse, suggesting these experiences had affected her mental state.
Story’s family released a statement through police expressing gratitude to emergency services, law enforcement, and the community for their support during the investigation. The family described navigating an unimaginable loss and thanked those whose kindness and support had helped them through the ordeal.
The investigation continues as authorities work to locate Story’s missing remains and piece together the circumstances surrounding his death. Police have emphasized that recovering the victim’s head remains a priority to allow his family to properly lay him to rest.
Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott of South Australia Police indicated that many questions remain unanswered in the investigation, describing it as a complex crime scene that will require time to fully understand the exact nature of what occurred.
