Reality TV star Tamika Chesser identified in murder case

Australian former reality TV contestant Tamika Chesser, best known for her appearance on Beauty and the Geek, has been formally identified as the woman charged with the brutal murder of her partner, Julian Daniel Story, in Port Lincoln, a report said on Friday.

Authorities responded to a report of a small fire at a residential unit on June 19, and upon arrival, emergency services discovered the body of Mr Story in a severely disfigured and burned state inside the home he shared with Chesser, MailOnline reported. Disturbingly, investigators confirmed that the victim’s head remains missing.

Detective Darren Fielke described the matter as “deeply distressing,” urging for the return of Mr Story’s head so that his family can hold a proper funeral. “This is a very traumatic incident. We’re appealing for anyone with information to come forward,” he told reporters.

Chesser, 34, was arrested at the scene in an unresponsive condition and later charged with murder. Additional charges include attempting to conceal human remains and assaulting a police officer. She is currently being held at a secure mental health facility, James Nash House, and appeared in court via video link on Friday, where she was seen with a shaved head.

According to court documents, a neighbour had spotted black smoke emerging from the property and questioned Chesser, who casually replied “nothing” before leaving the scene with her dogs. The concerned neighbour then entered the house through the back and attempted to extinguish the fire, later discovering signs of the horrifying scene.

The police allege that the murder took place sometime between June 16 and June 19. Chesser was previously known for her runner-up appearance in the 2010 season of Beauty and the Geek. After her brief television fame, she also modelled for several men's magazines and shared a mix of spiritual and provocative posts on her social media platforms.

Chesser’s behaviour in the days leading up to her arrest has raised further concern. Recently surfaced images show her standing topless on the Port Lincoln war memorial and wearing a bridal-style veil while holding what appeared to be a sharp object. Local residents have described the incident as deeply unsettling.

A neighbour told local media that the couple had been living together for several months and had appeared to be a normal pair. “It’s shocking. This kind of thing doesn’t happen in a town like Port Lincoln,” he said.