A former Australian reality television star has been charged with murder after police discovered the dismembered remains of her partner at their South Australia apartment, with authorities still searching for the victim’s missing head.
Tamika Chesser, 34, who appeared on “Beauty and the Geek Australia” in 2010, was arrested and charged with the murder of Julian Story, 39, following the discovery of his burned and mutilated remains on June 19, 2025. Police responded to reports of a small fire at the couple’s apartment in Port Lincoln, South Australia, around 3:30 p.m. local time.
According to court documents obtained by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, a neighbor became concerned after observing smoke coming from the apartment and confronting Chesser about the situation. The witness reported that when asked what she was doing, Chesser responded that she was doing nothing, then took her dogs for a walk and locked the front door. The neighbor, worried about fire spreading, entered the apartment through the rear door and used multiple buckets of water to extinguish burning clothing rags and debris found in the bathroom before contacting emergency services.
When police arrived at the scene, they discovered Story’s severely burned and dismembered remains in the bathroom. Court documents indicate that Chesser was found seated in a garden chair in the rear yard “in a catatonic and unresponsive state.” Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke of the Major Crime Investigation Section confirmed that Story’s head had been removed during the dismemberment and remains missing despite extensive searches.
Police believe Story was killed around midnight on June 17, 2025, approximately two days before the discovery of his remains. Fielke told reporters during a Friday press conference that “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.”
Authorities have released surveillance footage and images showing a woman believed to be Chesser walking through Port Lincoln with three dogs, captured hours after the alleged murder. The footage shows the individual dressed entirely in black, including a head covering, walking down the pavement. Police are appealing to local residents to review any CCTV or dashcam footage that might assist in tracking Chesser’s movements between midnight on June 17 and the afternoon of June 19.
Fielke indicated that Chesser does not typically use a vehicle and regularly walked around the township of Port Lincoln. He noted that while the couple was in a relationship together, investigators are still exploring the domestic relationship aspect and no obvious motive has been determined at this stage of the investigation. The detective superintendent also confirmed that Chesser was cooperative at the time of her arrest.
Chesser appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court on June 27 via video link from James Nash House, a psychiatric facility where she is being held under a mental health detention order. A suppression order preventing her identification was lifted during the court appearance. She was denied bail and is scheduled to return to court for a committal hearing in December 2025.
In addition to the murder charge, Chesser faces charges of disposing of human remains to pervert the course of justice and assaulting a police officer. The former reality star was a runner-up on the 2010 season of “Beauty and the Geek Australia,” a show that pairs attractive women with intelligent men to complete various challenges. She has also worked as a model, appearing in magazines including Playboy, Ralph and FHM.
Chesser’s sister, Kiya-May, told Daily Mail Australia that the alleged actions are not characteristic of her sibling, explaining that Chesser has faced a life of trauma and abuse. The sister emphasized that Chesser would never commit such acts and attributed the situation to mental health issues.
Story’s family released a statement through police expressing gratitude to emergency services, law enforcement, and the community for their support during the investigation. The family described navigating an unimaginable loss and thanked those whose kindness and support have helped carry them through the ordeal. They indicated this would be their only public statement and directed all further inquiries to South Australia Police.
Police Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott acknowledged that many questions remain unanswered in the investigation, describing it as a complex crime scene that will require significant time to fully understand the exact nature of what occurred. The search for Story’s missing head continues as investigators work to provide closure for his family and complete the investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
The case has drawn significant attention due to Chesser’s reality television background and the disturbing nature of the alleged crime. Authorities continue to encourage anyone with information about Chesser’s movements during the relevant timeframe to contact South Australia Police to assist with the ongoing investigation.