Sad update in search for man's head
Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke announced on Thursday that searchers had failed to locate Mr Story's head, more than a month after his body was found at the couple's Port Lincoln unit about midnight on June 17.
'Unfortunately, we have still not been able to locate the missing remains of Julian Story,' he said.
Thursday's announcement marks the second suspension of the search for Mr Story's remains.
Immediately after the alleged murder, the police scoured a number of parks and reserves around Port Lincoln, Detective Fielke said, and also the foreshore and waterways directly in front of the township. SA Police allege Julian Story was murdered about midnight on June 17. Supplied Credit: Supplied Former Beauty and the Geek reality show runner-up Tamika Chesser has been charged with Mr Story's murder. Supplied Credit: Supplied
After reviewing hours of CCTV footage and exploiting specialist equipment, the police identified new search areas this week, including scrubland around the Happy Valley Cemetery in the town and the Winter Hill Lookout.
The police said they had located some 'items of interest' from the cemetery, including a T-shirt with Elvis printed on it, a wristband and a purple drink bottle.
'Those items have all been seized and have been put into forensics for further analysis,' Detective Fielke said.
'At this stage, we don't have the results of that testing yet.'
But the detective confirmed that 'general searching' for Mr Story's remains had now ended.
'We've exhausted all the areas of interest that have been made known to us,' Detective Fielke said
'We will however go back and search if we receive specific information about where Julian's remains might be.
'But in terms of general searching in Port Lincoln, that has now stopped.'
Detective Fielke said the police had been in contacted with Mr Story's family, and said they were happy with how the police and the community had helped them through the tragic development. Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said the police had suspended their search for Julian Story's remains in Port Lincoln. NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe Credit: News Corp Australia
It is expected the family will hold a funeral for Mr Story on August 6.
Mr Story's body was found on the afternoon of June 19 following a small fire at the unit and Ms Chesser was arrested in the yard of the home.
Mr Story was a Port Lincoln local, while Ms Chesser had only recently moved to the area from Queensland.
At an earlier press conference, Detective Fielke said the cause of death is still being investigated and a motive remains unknown.
'We know they were in a relationship together, and I'm not suggesting that is a motive, but it is something that is being explored,' Detective Superintendent Fielke said in an update from June.
Police allege Ms Chesser was captured on CCTV walking with a bag, dogs, and dressed in heavy clothing in the hours after Mr Story's death. Tamika Chesser walks past a petrol station in Port Lincoln. The police have reviewed several hours of CCTV footage to try and piece together what happened in the aftermath of the alleged killing. Supplied Credit: Supplied
Ms Chesser has been charged with murder, destroying human remains, and assaulting a police officer.
She is currently on remand at James Nash House, a psychiatric facility.
On Thursday, Detective Fielke confirmed police had not yet spoken with Ms Chesser about the alleged murder or Mr Story's remains.
'We're not in a position yet to be able to talk to Tamika,' he said.
'We don't have the opportunity at this point of time to interview her.
'When we do, we will, and we're hopeful that she will be able to help us with some information.'
Detective Fielke added he did not believe anybody in the town was 'holding out' information from the police.
Ms Chesser starred in the second series of the hit reality TV show Beauty and the Geek in 2010, finishing in second place.
She has also worked as a model for a range of brands including Target and appeared in men's magazines including Ralph and FHM, a profile for her on Star Now states.
Her Instagram and Facebook social media profiles are filled with racy and glamorous images.
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