Australian authorities are seeking assistance in locating the head of Julian Story, whose dismembered body was discovered last week at an apartment in South Australia. His partner, 34-year-old Tamika Chesser, known for her appearance on the reality show “Beauty and the Geek Australia,” has been charged with his murder.
Last week, emergency services responded to a fire at a home in Port Lincoln, where they found Story’s remains, which were severely burned and disfigured, according to a statement from South Australia Police. “It was a confronting scene for police and emergency services personnel as Julian’s body had been dismembered,” the police said. Authorities believe that he was killed around midnight on June 17.
Court documents obtained by public broadcaster ABC revealed that when officers arrived, they found Chesser in a catatonic state in the yard adjacent to the apartment. To aid the investigation, police have released CCTV footage showing Chesser’s clothing during the relevant timeframe and are asking the public to check for any relevant surveillance or dashcam footage.
Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke emphasized the importance of recovering Story’s head for his family’s closure, stating, “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.” Chesser made a video appearance at the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday, where an order preventing her identification was lifted, and she is set to return to court in December.
While police noted that Chesser had recently arrived in Port Lincoln, Fielke mentioned there was no apparent motive at this stage of the investigation. “We know that they were in a relationship together … it’s something that’s being explored, that domestic relationship,” he said. Chesser was reported to be cooperative during her arrest.
Story’s family expressed their gratitude to law enforcement and the community: “We are navigating an unimaginable loss, and your care has brought comfort amid the chaos. We are also deeply grateful to our family and friends and this extraordinary community whose kindness and support have helped carry us through.”
Chesser gained fame in 2010 as a contestant on the reality series focused on pairing individuals based on their looks or intellect through various challenges.