Service station owner says Tamika Chesser's beheaded boyfriend was ‘regular shoplifter'
Harry Singh told 7News on Monday the troubled couple were well known in Port Lincoln and said authorities should have done more to help.
'He was a regular shoplifter — tens of times, more than 10 times,' Mr Singh said.
He added the case was 'chilling because I've served that lady many, many times'.
'She used to be a regular customer, once or twice a week she used to come to us,' he said. 'No one deserves that end.'
SA Police allege Ms Chesser, 34, killed Mr Story, 39, at their Port Lincoln home earlier this month.
Ms Chesser, an OnlyFans creator and former runner-up on television series Beauty and the Geek, has been charged with murder, destroying remains and assaulting a police officer.
The headless body of Mr Story, 39, was found on June 19 after allegedly being set alight in the Flinders Highway unit he shared with Ms Chesser.
CCTV footage aired on Sunday appeared to show the former TV contestant walking past Mr Singh's petrol station.
Police claim that footage was filmed roughly three hours before Mr Julian's charred body was found.
It comes as a neighbour of the couple described the horrific scene when he rushed to the scene of the fire on June 19.
Jordan Ware told The Advertiser he ran to help put out a smouldering pile in the unit — a pile later alleged by SA Police to be Mr Story's remains.
'The smoke alarm was going off and I opened the back door and said 'Tamika are you in there' but I think she took the dogs for a walk,' Mr Ware told The Advertiser.
'I just saw smoke and flames, I just got a bucket and filled it up with a hose and tried to put it out.'
Mr Ware told the newspaper he heard the couple having 'a bit of an argument' days before.
'I could hear him saying 'Babe please don't' so I went to check on the door and she slammed the door straight on me,' he said.
Mr Story had lived in the unit for about three years while Ms Chesser had only moved in within the last six months, according to Mr Ware.
Family of Ms Chesser earlier told 9News they had held concerns over her mental health in recent times, with her sister claiming she'd suffered a 'life of trauma and abuse'.
'It's my sister but that's not who she is or the Tamika we know — that's not the Tamika anyone knows,' she said.
'It just started getting worse, you know, and she started being in and out of mental health.
'She didn't mention anything and she just told everyone that she loves them.
'It is very sad and I'm really sorry to Julian's family.'
Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke, head of the Major Crimes Squad, issued an appeal last week for witnesses who may have seen Ms Chesser around the time of the alleged murder.
'All murders cause pain and grief for victims' families and friends,' he said.
'The circumstances of this murder are particularly harrowing, confronting and distressing.
'Major Crime detectives have spoken with Julian's family who are devastated by his loss and also by the circumstances surrounding his death.
'We are releasing the details of this horrific crime because it is vital for Julian's family to peacefully lay him to rest.
'We know that Tamika did not drive a vehicle and regularly walked around the township of Port Lincoln.
'We are appealing to anyone who can help us to identify Tamika's movements to please contact police.'
Police had earlier released CCTV of Ms Chesser walking near her home in all black accompanied by three dogs.
On Saturday, Port Lincoln Mayor Diana Mislov spoke on behalf of Mr Story's family today as search efforts continued.
'I know he loved his family deeply,' Ms Mislov said.
'I just want the community and for everyone to understand that he was a human being who didn't deserve this and was much loved, very much loved.'
Ms Chesser is currently being held in mental health custody and is due to appear in court again in December.
Police are still searching for Mr Story's head.
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