Former Beauty and the Geek contestant accused of Port Lincoln murder
By
Eva Blandis
and
Sara Garcia
, ABC
The alleged victim, 39-year-old Port Lincoln man Julian Story.
Photo:
ABC News/Che Chorley
Warning: This story contains details some readers may find distressing.
A former reality TV contestant accused of murdering her partner in Port Lincoln last week has appeared in court, as police reveal they are yet to locate some of the man's remains.
Tamika Chesser, who was a contestant on Beauty and the Geek in 2010, appeared in Adelaide Magistrate's court on Sunday via video link from psychiatric facility James Nash House.
A suppression order on her identity was lifted on Friday morning.
At a press conference on Friday afternoon, police revealed the identity of the alleged victim as 39-year-old Port Lincoln man Julian Story.
Chesser, 34, was arrested and charged with murder last Thursday after some of his remains were found at a unit.
Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke, officer in charge of the Major Crime Investigation Section, revealed police were yet to locate Story's head.
"We know that after his alleged murder, Julian's body was dismembered and while I won't provide any further details about that at this time, I can tragically say that we have not recovered the head of Julian Story," he said.
"I can only imagine… the grief this news is causing Julian's family.
"It is crucial that we locate Julian's head so that his family has the opportunity to lay him to rest."
Police have also issued a call-out for information from the Port Lincoln community on Chesser's movements last week.
"Today I am asking the local community, or people that might know Julian or Tamika to please contact us," Detective Superintendent Fielke said.
"I'm appealing to local residents to review CCTV or dashcam footage which they may have that may assist the investigation.
"Specifically, we are seeking to identify the movements of Tamika, particularly between midnight Tuesday, 17 June until the afternoon Thursday 19 June."
Detective Superintendent Fielke said police knew Chesser had only arrived in Port Lincoln recently.
"We know that they were in a relationship together... it's something that's being explored, that domestic relationship," he said.
Detective Superintendent Fielke said there was no obvious motive at this stage and Chesser was compliant at the time of the arrest.
In a statement provided to police, the family said they were grateful to emergency services for their assistance and the broader community.
"We are navigating an unimaginable loss and your care has brought comfort amid the chaos," the statement read.
"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."
SA Police documents submitted to the court, obtained by the ABC, said emergency services were called to the property on the afternoon of 19 June after a neighbour reported a fire at Chesser's unit.
According to the documents, a witness told police that "he observed smoke coming from unit 3 [and] he saw the accused and asked what she was doing, the accused said 'nothing' and then took her dogs for a walk and locked the front door," it said.
"The witness concerned that smoke or fire would spread... filled a bucket with water and entered unit 3 through the rear door.
"In the bathroom of the unit, he located a bundle of clothing rags and debris which was smouldering.
"The witness doused this and repeated this with a second bucket of water.
The document said police arrived at the scene after being called by firefighters, where they allegedly located the victim's remains in the bathroom.
"Once the scene was secure and safe, police entered the premises and in the bathroom sighted the deceased remains which were severely burnt and disfigured," the documents said.
"The accused was seated in a garden chair in the rear yard adjacent to unit 3 in a catatonic and unresponsive state at this time."
Chesser will return to court again in December.
- ABC
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