
Major search for man's head paused as police trawl CCTV
South Australia Police have been searching for the head of Julian Story, 39, after his dismembered body was found by authorities called to a unit fire at Port Lincoln on June 19.
Police allege Mr Story was killed about midnight on June 17 and his head was removed during the dismemberment.
Tamika Sueann Rose Chesser, 34, a former Beauty and the Geek contestant, has been charged with his murder after a court revoked an order suppressing her identity on Friday.
A police search for Mr Story's head has spanned Port Lincoln reserves, parks, bushland, the ocean, pier and bay areas and involved state emergency service volunteers, water police, divers and local patrols.
CCTV footage of Tamika Chesser
But investigators on Tuesday said the intensive search had been put on hold while police turned to reviewing a significant amount of CCTV footage to find other locations of interest.
Authorities are appealing for any footage the public can share with police to progress their investigation.
"Police are trying to track Tamika's movements in the week of the murder, particularly between midnight on Tuesday night and the report of the fire at 3.30pm on Thursday," SA police said in an update.
"Major crime detectives have released images of the clothing she was wearing during this time in the hope that it will jog people's memories."
Police were releasing details of the "horrific" crime as it was vital for the family of Mr Story to be able to peacefully lay him to rest, Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said.
"We know that Tamika did not drive a vehicle and regularly walked around the township of Port Lincoln," he said.
"We are appealing to anyone who can help us to identify Tamika's movements to please contact police."
Police found Mr Story's body after firefighters were called to a Flinders Highway property to investigate reports of a blaze.
Chesser, who police said had been in a relationship with Mr Story for several months, was arrested on June 19 after Mr Story's body was found at the couple's home.
She was known to walk through back streets and parks in the Port Lincoln area with her dogs.
She appeared by video link in court on Friday while being held under order at a forensic mental health facility.
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Perth Now
14 hours ago
- Perth Now
Major search for man's head paused as police trawl CCTV
A search for a man's decapitated head has been paused as police review CCTV footage to pinpoint the movements of the ex-reality TV star accused of his murder. South Australia Police have been searching for the head of Julian Story, 39, after his dismembered body was found by authorities called to a unit fire at Port Lincoln on June 19. Police allege Mr Story was killed about midnight on June 17 and his head was removed during the dismemberment. Tamika Sueann Rose Chesser, 34, a former Beauty and the Geek contestant, has been charged with his murder after a court revoked an order suppressing her identity on Friday. A police search for Mr Story's head has spanned Port Lincoln reserves, parks, bushland, the ocean, pier and bay areas and involved state emergency service volunteers, water police, divers and local patrols. CCTV footage of Tamika Chesser But investigators on Tuesday said the intensive search had been put on hold while police turned to reviewing a significant amount of CCTV footage to find other locations of interest. Authorities are appealing for any footage the public can share with police to progress their investigation. "Police are trying to track Tamika's movements in the week of the murder, particularly between midnight on Tuesday night and the report of the fire at 3.30pm on Thursday," SA police said in an update. "Major crime detectives have released images of the clothing she was wearing during this time in the hope that it will jog people's memories." Police were releasing details of the "horrific" crime as it was vital for the family of Mr Story to be able to peacefully lay him to rest, Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said. "We know that Tamika did not drive a vehicle and regularly walked around the township of Port Lincoln," he said. "We are appealing to anyone who can help us to identify Tamika's movements to please contact police." Police found Mr Story's body after firefighters were called to a Flinders Highway property to investigate reports of a blaze. Chesser, who police said had been in a relationship with Mr Story for several months, was arrested on June 19 after Mr Story's body was found at the couple's home. She was known to walk through back streets and parks in the Port Lincoln area with her dogs. She appeared by video link in court on Friday while being held under order at a forensic mental health facility. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636


7NEWS
15 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Gruesome manhunt to find missing remains suspended as police plea for more help in Port Lincoln alleged murder
A search for the missing remains of a man allegedly murdered by a former reality TV star has been paused, as police continue to appeal for public help. For nearly five days, emergency services have been on the hunt for Julian Story's missing head after his decapitated body was found on June 19. Police believe Story was killed and partially dismembered around midnight on Tuesday, June 17 — a day after his 39th birthday — and his body later set alight. Firefighters found the remains in a unit at Port Lincoln, on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula, when responding to reports of a fire on June 19. Numerous areas have been searched in and around Port Lincoln including reserves, parks, bushland and the ocean around the pier and bay area, with assistance from State Emergency Service volunteers, South Australia Police (SAPOL) Water Operations Unit divers and local patrols On Tuesday, SAPOL announced the search has been 'paused' but appeals for information continue. Story's partner, Tamika Chesser, 34, who was runner-up on reality TV show Beauty And The Geek in 2010, has been charged with his murder. She is also charged with disposing of human remains to pervert the course of justice and assaulting a police officer and is due to face court again in December. Police last week pleaded with the local community to help piece together the movements of Chesser, who was reportedly seen walking around Port Lincoln about the time of the alleged murder. Police are appealing to local residents to review any CCTV or dashcam footage they have which may assist the investigation. Anyone with any information or CCTV is urged to contact the police.

Sky News AU
17 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Heartbreaking new detail revealed amid search for beheaded South Australia man allegedly murdered by reality star girlfriend Tamika Chesser
A heartbreaking detail has emerged in the desperate search for the head of a decapitated man in South Australia, as his ex-reality star girlfriend remains at the centre of the tragic killing. Julian Story, 39, was found dismembered at a property on Flinders Highway, Port Lincoln on June 19, after authorities were notified of a small fire. Police confirmed his head had been removed during the dismemberment and they are still attempting to locate it so his family can lay him to rest. It has now also come to light Mr Story celebrated his 39th birthday just a day before he was horrifically killed. Investigators believe the South Australia man was killed about midnight on June 17. His partner, former Beauty and the Geek star Tamika Chesser, 34, has been charged with the crime. Police charged the ex-reality beauty with murder, destroying human remains to pervert the course of justice, and a separate charge of assaulting an emergency worker. Chesser was arrested at the scene at the couple's home, as police now turn to the public for information on her movements in the week of the alleged murder. CCTV footage has been reviewed by police of a woman, alleged to be Chesser, walking three dogs while dressed in a black hooded outfit and carrying a bag, during the time of the alleged murder and attempt at burning Mr Story's body. Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke told the media on Friday Chesser "doesn't really use a vehicle" and he hoped people would call in to help with her possible movements. He further added it is "crucial" for police to locate Mr Story's head. "I can only imagine the grief this is causing Julian's family. "Julian's family are devastated. "Tamika Chesser remains in custody charged with murder, and that this was not a random incident." On Monday, Chesser's sister told 9News she had been concerned about her sibling's mental health in recent months. 'It just started getting worse,' she told the outlet. 'She started being in and out of mental health. She didn't mention anything and she just told everyone that she loves them. 'It's my sister, but that's not who she is or the Tamika we know. 'That's not the Tamika anyone knows.' Police have allege Chesser was in a 'catatonic' state when she was arrested. '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,' according to court documents seen by NewsWire. Chesser sported a shaved head as she appeared in court via a videolink from mental health facility James Nash House, according to Daily Mail Australia. She was refused bail by Magistrate Ben Sale at the hearing, and a committal hearing was scheduled for December. She is currently being held under a mental health detention order. Chesser's sister added her family has not yet made contact with her, as she remains unresponsive. Chesser, who was runner-up on her season of Beauty and the Geek, has also modelled for men's magazines including Playboy, Ralph and FHM. Describing herself as a 'model and actress', Chesser also published explicit content on adult subscription site OnlyFans. Her old social media posts reflect she was interested in Jewish and Hindu mythology. In a post from June 2024, she wrote about her 'spiritual journey'. 'Our Creator our Father and our Mother Nature our Earth are crying out to us all,' she wrote. 'What do you think your ancestors would say in regards to the life you're currently living? Would they be proud? 'What do you see behind the makeup, behind the false lashes behind the hair cut or perfectly groomed beard … behind the Botox … Is the flesh you reside in of relevance? Does it make you the person you are?' Anyone with information that may assist the investigation has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers.