A former reality television contestant has made her first court appearance in South Australia after being charged with the alleged murder and dismemberment of her boyfriend.
Court Appearance from Psychiatric Facility
Tamika Chesser, who once appeared on the show Beauty and the Geek, faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday via video link. The 34-year-old appeared from James Nash House, a secure psychiatric facility, where she is being held under a mental health detention order. Chesser, who is currently pregnant, has been charged with murder, interfering with human remains, and assaulting a police officer.
Allegations of a Brutal Crime
Police prosecutors outlined their case, alleging that Julian Story, 39, was killed by his partner inside the couple's Port Lincoln unit in June. It is further alleged that Chesser then dismembered his body and set his remains alight in the bathroom of the home.
A major search operation was launched across Story's hometown of Port Lincoln after his body was discovered. Police worked to recover missing remains, and weeks later, a walker and his pet beagle found Story's head in nearby bushland.
Awaiting Crucial Evidence
The court heard that prosecutors are waiting on several key pieces of evidence before proceeding. These include:
- Detailed crime scene analysis reports.
- Important DNA evidence.
- Data extracted from both Chesser and Story's mobile phones.
The postmortem report on Julian Story is not expected to be completed until early next year. Chesser has not yet entered a plea to the charges laid against her.
Community and Political Reaction
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas last month described the case as "very unique" and "egregious," stating he would be surprised if there was any legal precedent for such crimes. He confirmed that Chesser has access to strict protocols while she remains pregnant in custody.
Earlier this year, Julian Story's devastated family released a statement thanking police and the Port Lincoln community for their support. "We are navigating an unimaginable loss, and your care has brought comfort amid the chaos," the statement read.
Tamika Chesser is scheduled to return to court in May and is expected to remain in custody at James Nash House until that time.
