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Perth Now
4 minutes ago
- Perth Now
‘Surreal': Dog walker's chilling discovery
Port Lincoln locals Katie and her friend were walking up Slipway Rd on Thursday afternoon. Just moments earlier, police had announced they had discovered a human skull in the walking trails and scrubland between Slipway Rd and Hindmarsh Rd on the eastern edge of the popular fishing town. The discovery marked another grisly twist in the Tamika Chesser case, which has sent shockwaves through the small and close-knit Eyre Peninsula community. 'I'm relieved for the family, it's a bit of closure for them,' Katie said. 'But I feel devastated for the person that found it.' Tyson McCallum was also walking in the area when his dog Benji the Beaglier found what police believe is a human head. 'I just went in a bit closer and kind of made the connection pretty quickly as to what I thought it was,' he told 9News. '(It was) pretty surreal to be honest,' he added. 'I was kind of like 'No way, it's not what I think it is, surely not'. But it was too coincidental.' Ms Chesser, a former Beauty and the Geek contestant, is accused of murdering her boyfriend Julian Story at the pair's Port Lincoln unit around midnight on June 17. Police allege she also dismembered Mr Story's body, removing his head. The skull was found in walking trails between Slipway Rd and Hindmarsh St on the eastern edge of Port Lincoln, South Australia. NewsWire / Duncan Evans Credit: News Corp Australia SA Police delivered the shock announcement on Thursday afternoon. Dean Martin Credit: News Corp Australia Ms Chesser was then allegedly captured on CCTV in the hours afterwards walking with a bag, dogs and dressed in heavy clothing. She was arrested on June 19 and charged with murder and destroy human remains. South Australian Police and SES volunteers fanned out across the town to search for Mr Story's missing remains in the days and weeks following the alleged murder, but the search was suspended last week. But in a shock development, police announced on Thursday afternoon they believed they had found Mr Story's head. A resident walking their dog found the skull and reported it to the authorities, police 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,' Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said. 'To confirm this, those remains will be subject to further testing over the coming days. Mr Story's family have been contacted and updated on next steps, the Superintendent said. Tamika Chesser starred in Beauty and the Geek. Picture Supplied Credit: Supplied Alleged murder victim Julian Story. Supplied Credit: Supplied Katie's friend, who did not wish to be named, said she was no longer worried she would 'stumble across it'. Katie said the discovery would likely reignite interest among locals in the case, which has gripped the town over the past few weeks. 'It's going to go mental,' Katie said. Ms Chesser's case has generated widespread interest because of her glamorous former life and the brutal nature of the alleged killing. Greg, who has lived in Port Lincoln since the 1970s, said locals discussed the case regularly. 'It was a gruesome bloody incident,' he said, speaking before Thursday's discovery. 'This town, we've never had anything like that before.' Harley Hozer, who lives across the road from the unit complex where Ms Chesser and Mr Story lived, said the allegations had 'shook the town'. 'It shook the town a little bit,' she told NewsWire. 'We've dealt with some crime before but nothing like this. 'It shocked me, that's for sure.' Police cars and cops patrolled the entry points to the scrubland across Thursday, with police line closing off the area. Detectives could be seen walking into the trails. That same day, Ms Chesser appeared at Port Lincoln Magistrates Court at 9.30am on three separate matters. Police allege she behaved in a disorderly manner at a tobacco store on Port Lincoln's Liverpool St and at the Port Lincoln Police station, both on February 14, 2025, It is further alleged she assaulted a woman on November 1 last year. It is listed as a summary offence, meaning it is considered a low level of offending. She is also alleged to have assaulted a police officer on June 20 this year, one day after she was arrested for the alleged killing of Mr Story. Ms Chesser was captured on CCTV walking with her dogs in the hours after the alleged murder. SA Police Credit: Supplied Ms Chesser appeared at Port Lincoln Magistrates Court on Thursday morning. NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia The 34-year-old woman appeared via AVL from James Nash House, a psychiatric facility, where she greeted the magistrate and answered questions for the first time in court. She sported a shaved head and wore a blue sweater and greeted Magistrate Patrick Hill with a 'hello'. Justin Slater, a solicitor with the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement, represented her in court. He told Mr Hill he had ordered 'reports' into the charges. 'We are doing our own reports in relation to these matters,' he said. He asked Mr Hill to adjourn matters until a charge determination had been made for Ms Chesser's more serious allegations and Mr Hill agreed to the request, setting December 18 at Port Lincoln for the next hearing. When asked if she understood her hearing would be adjourned, Ms Chesser replied: 'Yep'. The Boston Marine shipyards sit next to the Hindmarsh St and Slipway Rd scrubland. Duncan Evans Credit: News Corp Australia Port Lincoln is a famous fishing town located on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula. Duncan Evans Credit: News Corp Australia Mr Slater declined to comment on the charges or Ms Chesser's condition after the hearing. Thursday's hearing marked the second time Ms Chesser had fronted court following her first appearance at Adelaide Magistrates Court last month on the murder and destroy human remains charges. Those matters are listed to be heard in Adelaide on December 12. Mr Story was a Port Lincoln local, while Ms Chesser had only recently moved to the area from Queensland. She starred in the second series of the hit reality TV show Beauty and the Geek in 2010, finishing in second place. She has also worked as a model for a range of brands including Target and appeared in men's magazines including Ralph and FHM, a profile for her on Star Now states. Her Instagram and Facebook social media profiles are filled with racy and glamorous images. A funeral service for Mr Story is expected next week.
7NEWS
17 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Beagle discovers missing head of alleged murder victim Julian Story during walk at SA park with owner
A Port Lincoln man hopes the discovery of what could be the missing remains of an alleged murder victim will bring closure for the family. On Thursday morning, Tyson McCallum was walking along the Parnkalla Walking Trail with his two beagles, Benji,3 and Alfie,5, when took off into the dense scrub bush and disappeared from sight. 'We were on a route we do a couple times a week,' McCallum told 7NEWS. 'It's a secluded area, so I let the boys off the lead.' Alfie returned to McCallum without Benji. Fearing something had happened, McCallum went looking for Benji and found him by a bush with an object. 'I went into see what had caught his attention,' McCallum said. 'Pretty quickly, I made the connection that this is what the police were looking for.' McCallum found Benji next to what appeared to be a human skull. On Thursday, South Australia Police major crime boss Darren Fielke said police believed the skull was ' the remains of Julian Story' but could not confirm until forensic test ing has been completed. The area had not been previously searched by police investigating the alleged murder of Story in the Port Lincoln unit he shared with his girlfriend, former Beauty And The Geek star Tamika Chesser. South Australian Police allege Chesser, 34, killed and dismembered Story, including cutting off his head, on June 17 — the day after his 39th birthday — before setting his body on fire inside the unit. Chesser is charged with murder, disposing of human remains to pervert the course of justice and assaulting a police officer and remains in custody ahead of her next court appearance in December. On June 27, Story's family released a statement, thanking the larger South Australian community for their support. '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,' they said. '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.' Story will be farewelled in a private funeral on August 6 at St Mary's of the Angels church in Port Lincoln.
7NEWS
17 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Glenelg tram closure: Major part of Adelaide tram line to shut down for six months
South Australian commuters are being urged to plan their journeys as a major part of Adelaide's public transport network shuts down into the new year. Adelaide's iconic tram route to Glenelg will grind to a halt for six months from Saturday August 2, alongside other significant road closures. The shutdown will allow works to upgrade and remove three major level crossings along the tram route in Adelaide's inner-southwest at Morphettville, Cross Road, and South Road. Six-month partial Glenelg line closure A full closure Adelaide's entire tram network will take place all day on Saturday August 2 and Sunday August 3, 2025. Then from Monday August 4, the Glenelg tram line will remain closed between South Terrace and Moseley Square until late January. Adelaide Metro says substitute bus services will match tram frequency and capacity, operating every 10 to 20 minutes during the day and night, and increasing to every 5 minutes during weekday peak periods. Replacement buses will service substitute bus stops as close as possible to matching tram stops. RAA Safety and Infrastructure Senior Manager Charles Mountain has encouraged tram commuters to pre-plan their routes to avoid delays. 'RAA is urging all Glenelg tram users to plan ahead, as trams will be disrupted while important upgrades are made over the next six months,' Mountain said. 'The replacement bus services will help tram users reach their destination, but there will likely be longer than usual travel times with modified routes and increased traffic. A combination of all-stop, limited-stop and express bus substitute services will be in operation. During peak travel times and major events such as sporting matches and concerts, there will be extra replacement buses to cater for demand. Usual tram services will continue to operate as normal through Adelaide's CBD between the South Terrace and Royal Adelaide Hospital stops and along the Botanic Gardens to Entertainment Centre line. Three Adelaide level crossings set to be removed The Glenelg tram line closure will allow for major works as part of the state's Tram Grade Separation Projects which will remove three congested level crossings on Marion Road, Cross Road, and Morphett Road. The state government says the three projects worth $870 million will make travel in the area safer, faster and easier for people who use public transport, walk, cycle or drive. 'We are committed to achieving efficient, resilient and integrated traffic and transport solutions for South Australians. Once complete, this project will result in better connectivity for trams, cyclists and pedestrians and less time waiting in peak-hour traffic,' Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis said. 'I thank users for their patience while we carry out these important works and remind them that substitute buses will operate during any tram closures.' Mountain said: 'RAA has long advocated for a grade separation of the tram crossing at Marion Road and Cross Road and we welcome the progress being made on this project.' 'Approximately 50,000 vehicles pass through the Marion Road and Cross Road level crossings each day and during the morning and afternoon peak periods, we also see around 30 trams passing through.' There is a silver lining for impacted commuters with the level crossing projects scheduled to be finalised by late January, allowing for the Glenelg tram line to reopen in time for the 2026 school year. Adelaide's upcoming public transport and road closures
