Tamika Chesser became the focus of one of Australia’s most shocking criminal investigations after being charged over the alleged murder and dismemberment of her partner in South Australia in 2025. The former reality television contestant and model was accused of killing her boyfriend, Julian Story, inside their Port Lincoln home before allegedly attempting to burn and conceal parts of his remains. The gruesome allegations generated intense national media attention due to Chesser’s past appearance on Australian television and the disturbing details surrounding the case. Investigators described the crime scene as confronting and complex, while reports surrounding Chesser’s mental state, alleged psychosis and detention inside a psychiatric facility added further controversy and public fascination to the investigation.

Early Life
Tamika Chesser was born in Australia and later gained public recognition through modeling and reality television appearances. She became widely known after appearing on the second season of Beauty and the Geek Australia in 2010, where she finished as one of the standout contestants. Her appearance on the show helped establish her public image as a glamorous and outgoing television personality.
Following her television exposure, Chesser worked as a model and appeared in promotional campaigns, magazines and online media projects. Reports also indicated she worked within adult-content and subscription-based online platforms during later years. Friends and acquaintances often described her as charismatic, social and energetic, making the later criminal allegations particularly shocking to people who knew her publicly.
In the years leading up to the alleged murder case, reports suggested Chesser struggled with personal instability and mental health concerns. Media coverage and statements from family members later referenced trauma, emotional difficulties and alleged psychological deterioration before the events that brought her national attention in 2025.
Killing Spree
Authorities allege that in June 2025, Tamika Chesser murdered her partner, Julian Story, inside the couple’s residence in Port Lincoln, South Australia. Police claim Story was killed around June 17 before his body was allegedly dismembered and partially burned inside the home.
Emergency services were called to the property after reports of smoke and fire coming from the unit. According to court documents and police allegations, responding officers discovered severely burned and disfigured human remains inside the bathroom area of the home. Investigators later stated that parts of Story’s remains were missing, triggering a large-scale search operation around Port Lincoln.
The investigation attracted major national attention because of the horrifying allegations and Chesser’s past television fame. Weeks after the alleged murder, police announced that a human skull believed to belong to Julian Story had been located in nearby scrubland by a member of the public walking a dog.
Modus Operandi
Police allege that Tamika Chesser killed her partner inside their Port Lincoln residence before dismembering the body and attempting to destroy evidence through fire. Investigators stated the remains discovered at the property had been severely burned, while authorities spent weeks searching for missing body parts in surrounding areas.
According to investigators, the alleged crime scene involved efforts to conceal or interfere with evidence following the killing. Chesser was also charged with destroying human remains to allegedly pervert the course of justice. Authorities examined extensive CCTV footage and conducted searches across bushland, parks and coastal areas as part of the investigation.
Reports surrounding the case frequently referenced Chesser’s mental condition at the time of arrest. Police documents stated she was allegedly found in a catatonic and unresponsive state outside the property when officers arrived. Family members later publicly claimed she had been experiencing severe psychological distress before the incident.
Capture
Tamika Chesser was arrested at the Port Lincoln property shortly after emergency services responded to reports of smoke and fire at the residence. Police stated officers located Chesser outside the home in what was described as a catatonic state before taking her into custody.
Authorities later charged Chesser with murder, destroying human remains to allegedly pervert the course of justice and assaulting an emergency worker. Due to concerns surrounding her mental health, she was detained at James Nash House, a secure psychiatric facility in South Australia.
The investigation remained highly active for months following the arrest, with police continuing searches for missing remains and examining extensive forensic evidence. Court proceedings were repeatedly adjourned while prosecutors reviewed reports, psychiatric evaluations and forensic findings connected to the case.
Trial & Sentence
As of 2026, Tamika Chesser had not yet stood trial and had not entered a plea regarding the charges against her. Court proceedings remained ongoing while investigators continued gathering forensic evidence and reviewing psychiatric assessments.
Prosecutors alleged Chesser murdered Julian Story before dismembering and burning parts of his body. The disturbing nature of the allegations generated extensive media coverage throughout Australia, particularly because Chesser was previously known publicly through reality television and modeling work.
Legal proceedings were further complicated by Chesser’s mental health status and detention inside a psychiatric facility. Reports later revealed she gave birth while in custody during 2026, adding another layer of media attention to an already highly publicized case.
Because the case remains before the courts, many details continue to be subject to legal restrictions, ongoing forensic analysis and future judicial proceedings.
Notes
The Tamika Chesser case quickly became one of Australia’s most heavily discussed crime stories of 2025 due to the combination of reality television fame, graphic allegations and questions surrounding mental health. Public fascination intensified because Chesser had previously appeared in mainstream entertainment media before becoming linked to an alleged violent crime.
Media coverage frequently focused on Chesser’s alleged psychological condition, with relatives publicly claiming she had experienced trauma and mental deterioration before the incident. The case also generated significant discussion regarding forensic psychiatric detention and how mental health issues intersect with violent criminal allegations.
Authorities described the investigation as deeply confronting for both investigators and the victim’s family. The discovery of remains in bushland near Port Lincoln and the prolonged search for missing body parts became central elements of ongoing reporting surrounding the case.
Media
📺 Documentaries / TV Series
Beauty and the Geek Australia
Reality television series where Tamika Chesser first became publicly known during the 2010 season.
True crime news specials
Australian crime programs and nightly news investigations heavily covered:
- the Port Lincoln murder allegations
- forensic searches
- psychiatric detention
- Chesser’s television background
🎥 Major Video Interviews
7NEWS Australia coverage
Programs focused on:
- police allegations
- forensic searches for missing remains
- psychiatric detention updates
- court proceedings
9News Australia reports
Coverage examined:
- the Port Lincoln investigation
- Chesser’s mental health status
- the discovery of remains
- ongoing court developments
ABC News Australia reporting
Focused on:
- murder charge proceedings
- legal restrictions
- forensic investigations
- suppression order developments
🎙️ Podcasts
As of 2026, major longform podcast coverage remained limited due to the ongoing court proceedings and unresolved legal process.
Australian true crime commentary channels and independent crime podcasts have discussed:
- the Port Lincoln investigation
- forensic evidence
- mental health considerations
- reality television notoriety
📰 Written Media Coverage
The Tamika Chesser case received extensive media coverage from:
- ABC News Australia, 9News, 7NEWS, Adelaide Now, News.com.au, The Advertiser, The Daily Telegraph, The Times





