Major update in search for victim's head after TV star charged with murder
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.
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NBC News
an hour ago
- NBC News
North Korean crosses the heavily fortified border to South Korea
SEOUL, South Korea — An unidentified North Korean man crossed the heavily fortified land border separating the two Koreas and is in South Korean custody, the South's military said Friday. The South's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the military identified and tracked the individual near the central-west section of the military demarcation line and conducted a 'guiding operation' before taking the person into custody Thursday night. It said authorities plan to investigate the border crossing and did not immediately say whether they view the incident as a defection attempt. The Joint Chiefs said it notified the U.S.-led United Nations Command about the incident and had not detected any immediate signs of unusual military activity by the North. According to the Joint Chiefs, a South Korean military team approached the unarmed North Korean man after detecting him and, after identifying themselves as South Korean troops, guided him safely out of the mine-strewn Demilitarized Zone that divides the two Koreas. Border tensions have flared in recent months as the two Koreas traded Cold War-style psychological warfare, with North Korea sending thousands of trash-filled balloons toward the South and South Korea blasting anti-Pyongyang propaganda through loudspeakers. Since taking office last month, South Korea's new liberal President Lee Jae Myung has made efforts to rebuild trust with North Korea, halting the frontline loudspeaker broadcasts and moving to ban activists from flying balloons carrying propaganda leaflets across the border. In April, South Korean troops fired warning shots to repel about 10 North Korean soldiers who briefly crossed the military demarcation line. The South's military said the soldiers returned to North Korean territory without incident and that the North didn't return fire. In June last year, North Korean troops crossed the border three times, prompting South Korea to fire warning shots. Experts suggested these crossings may have been accidental, occurring as North Korean troops added anti-tank barriers, planted mines and carried out other work to bolster border defenses amid escalating tensions between the Koreas. Diplomacy between the war-divided Koreas has derailed since the collapse of denuclearization talks between Washington and Pyongyang in 2019, which prompted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to accelerate the expansion of his military nuclear program and threaten nuclear conflict toward Washington and Seoul. South Korea's previous conservative government responded by strengthening its combined military exercises with the United States and Japan, which the North condemned as invasion rehearsals.
The Herald Scotland
9 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. detained by ICE, faces removal from U.S.
Chavez, the son of legendary Mexican fighter Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., fought Jake Paul Saturday at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. He lost the 10-round boxing match by unanimous decision. In August 2023, he entered the country legally with a B2 tourist visa that was valid until February 2024. In January 2024, Chavez was arrested in Los Angeles on charges of felony gun possession charges after police said they found him in possession of two AR-style ghost rifles, according to ESPN and the Los Angeles Times. He pleaded not guilty to the gun possession charges and agreed to enter residential treatment program, according to those reports. Court records indicate Chavez was granted pretrial diversion. In its press released, DHS stated former President Joe Biden's administration allowed Chavez to reenter the country in January and paroled him into the country at the San Ysidro port of entry in California. This is a developing story.
The Independent
13 hours ago
- The Independent
New California law requires bars to provide drink lids
California has enacted a new law, Assembly Bill 2375, requiring bars and nightclubs to provide drink lids to customers upon request to combat drink spiking. This legislation builds on a previous law, Assembly Bill 1013, which mandated prominent signage informing patrons about the availability of drug-testing kits. The new bill, which recently came into effect, also requires venues to display signs stating, 'Don't get roofied! drink spiking drug test kits available here. Ask a staff member for details.' Bar owners have expressed minimal concern over the new rule, with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control set to enforce it through routine visits, initially focusing on education. The bill passed unanimously in both the Assembly and Senate, receiving support from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and alcohol safety organizations.
