An Australian reality TV star has been charged with murder after police discovered her boyfriend’s decapitated body at their home.
Officers discovered the burnt and dismembered remains of Julian Story, 39, on the bathroom floor of an apartment in the coastal city of Port Lincoln on Tuesday (June 17) while responding to reports of a small fire.
Tamika Sueann-Rose Chesser, 34 - who previously appeared on Beauty and the Geek Australia - was arrested two days later and charged with murder.
According to court documents, police found the former reality TV star “in a catatonic and unresponsive state” while sitting in the back garden of the property, The Telegraph reported.
The model has also been charged with disposing of human remains to pervert the course of justice and assaulting a police officer.
Story’s loved ones have spoken out about the horrific tragedy in a statement, which read: "On behalf of our family, we want to sincerely thank the South Australian Police, emergency services, and first responders for their compassion and professionalism during this devastating time."
"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. Your prayers, presence, and quiet strength mean more than words can say," they added.
Kiya-May Chesser, the defendant’s sister, said the family has been left shaken by the reports that Chesser was charged with murder.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, she said: “Please report how my sister is in a mental psychosis... This is not her... She would never do these things.” She added that her sister had lived a “life of trauma and abuse, and now this - it has fried her brain.”
“It just started getting worse, you know, and she started being in and out of mental health," they continued, per News.com.au. “She didn’t mention anything, and she just told everyone that she loves them...It is very sad and I’m really sorry to Julian’s family.”
Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott from South Australia Police said the investigation remains complex, with many unanswered questions, and noted, “So it will take some time to understand the exact nature of what’s occurred”.
Detectives have now appealed to the public to help locate Story’s missing head, which they said was removed after his murder.
Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said during a press conference: “While I won’t provide any further detail about that at this time, I can tragically say that we have not recovered the head of Julian Story.”
“I can only imagine, and I want you to imagine, the grief this news is causing Julian’s family,” he continued. “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.”
Superintendent Fielke said there was no obvious motive at this stage and noted that the reality TV star was compliant during her arrest.
Police released surveillance footage showing a woman alleged to be Chesser walking through Port Lincoln with her dogs after the alleged murder, in the hope of finding where the head may have been hidden.
In the clip, the woman is seen wearing a full-body black dress and a black head covering while walking with three dogs.
“I’m appealing to local residents to review CCTV or dash cam footage which they may have, which may assist the investigation,” Superintendent Fielke said.
On Friday (June 27), Magistrate Ben Sale lifted a court order in Adelaide Magistrates Court that had previously anonymized Chesser’s identity and restricted publication of details surrounding Mr Story’s death and the investigation.
The alleged suspect appeared in court via video link and was refused bail following her first appearance last week.
She is currently being held under a mental health detention order and will return to court for a committal hearing in December.
Our thoughts go out to Story's family and loved ones at this time.