SOUTH AUSTRALIA — Authorities in South Australia believe they have discovered the head of alleged murder victim Julian Story, weeks after his girlfriend, former Beauty and the Geek contestant Tamika Chesser, was charged with his brutal killing and dismemberment.
The grim find was made in scrubland near Port Lincoln after a local dog walker contacted police on Thursday. Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke confirmed at a press conference that the discovery appears to be a human skull, likely belonging to Mr. Story. Final confirmation is pending forensic testing.
“Earlier today, police received info from a member of the public in Port Lincoln they have located in a scrub what appeared to be a human skull,” Superintendent Fielke said. “Preliminary investigations and phone calls to forensic science centre [indicate] the remains are most likely human, and I believe they are the remains of Julian Story.”
The search for Mr. Story’s head began in late June, shortly after police discovered his decapitated body in the unit he shared with Ms. Chesser. Authorities and SES volunteers spent more than a week combing nearby scrubland and coastal waters. The search was temporarily paused on July 1 but resumed in mid-July with new search sites identified.
The breakthrough came when a dog ran off into the brush during a walk. Its owner followed and discovered the remains in plain sight, not buried, according to police. “There are some walking tracks through there,” said Fielke. “The remains were quite out in the open.”
Mr. Story’s family has been notified of the discovery and the upcoming forensic testing. “Hopefully we can give them some comfort that we have found all the remains of Julian,” Superintendent Fielke added.
Police allege that Tamika Chesser murdered Mr. Story around midnight on June 17 in their Port Lincoln unit. Two days later, on June 19, firefighters responded to a small blaze at the unit and discovered Mr. Story’s mutilated body. Chesser was arrested later that day in the yard of the home.
Julian Story, a local Port Lincoln man, had reportedly been in a relationship with Chesser, who had recently relocated from Queensland. Authorities have not yet identified a motive for the alleged killing. “We know they were in a relationship together,” Fielke said. “I’m not suggesting that is a motive, but it is something that is being explored.”
Police say Chesser was caught on CCTV in the hours after Mr. Story’s death, walking with a bag and dogs, dressed in heavy clothing. She was charged with murder, destruction of human remains, and assaulting a police officer. The assault charge is scheduled to be heard on July 31 in Port Lincoln Magistrates Court, with the murder trial expected to proceed in December.
Chesser is currently being held at James Nash House, a secure psychiatric facility. At an earlier press conference, police said there was no evidence of cannibalism or ritualistic elements in the alleged crime.
Tamika Chesser gained public attention in 2010 when she appeared on Season 2 of Beauty and the Geek Australia, where she finished as runner-up. She later modeled for major retailers including Target and appeared in men’s magazines such as Ralph and FHM. Her online presence features glamorous photos and references to religious imagery from both Jewish and Hindu traditions.
As the case develops, the Port Lincoln community remains stunned by the shocking allegations and ongoing revelations.
