Australian reality TV star Tamika Chesser charged with partner's murder
Chesser is alleged to have murdered her partner, Julian Daniel Story, at the couple's unit in Port Lincoln, South Australia last week.
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1News
2 days ago
- 1News
Major search for man's head paused as Aus 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 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. Beauty and the Geek contestant Tamika Sueann-Rose Chesser. (Source: Facebook) ADVERTISEMENT A police search for 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. But investigators today 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." Tamika Sueann Rose Chesser wearing a black headscarf and black full-body coverings. (Source: South Australia Police ) Police were releasing details of the "horrific" crime as it was vital for the family of Story to be able to peacefully lay him to rest, Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said. ADVERTISEMENT "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 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 Story for several months, was arrested on June 19 after 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.
RNZ News
4 days ago
- RNZ News
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
NZ Herald
4 days ago
- NZ Herald
Australian reality TV star Tamika Chesser charged with partner's murder
CCTV has captured former Beauty and the Geek contestant Tamika Chesser walking the streets after allegedly murdering her partner, as police reveal grisly new allegations surrounding the case. Chesser is alleged to have murdered her partner, Julian Daniel Story, at the couple's unit in Port Lincoln, South Australia last week.
