Police deliver major update in search for the missing head of Julian Story, allegedly murdered by a former Beauty and the Geek star
SA Police Major Crime boss Darren Fielke told a press conference today that a human head had been found on Thursday by a member of the public in scrubland near Port Lincoln.
"Earlier today, police received information from a member of the public in Port Lincoln that they had located in a scrub area what appeared to be a human skull.
'There are some walking tracks through there, my understanding is the person who contacted us today was walking their dog in the area. The dog ran off into the scrub, it didn't come back when called.'
He said police believe the head to be the remains of Mr Story, who was allegedly murdered by former Beauty and The Geek star Tamika Chaser on June 17.
'Julian's family have been contacted today and provided an update in relation to what has been located and what the ongoing process is from here. Hopefully we can give them some comfort that we have found all the remains of Julian,' he said.
The discovery comes after police were notified about potential new site zones, which turned up an Elvis t-shirt, a drink bottle and a wristband in a cemetery near Port Lincoln.
Ms Chaser, who took part in the 2010 season of the show, was charged with murder and interfering with human remains with intent to pervert the course of justice.
She appeared in court via video link on Thursday in relation to three separate matters and is yet to be formally interviewed by police over the alleged murder of Mr Story.
On the night of the alleged murder, police believe Ms Chesser was captured on CCTV walking her dogs wearing a head covering.
She is alleged to have lit a fire to dispose of Mr Story's remains, which were spotted by a member of the public who thought it was a smouldering fire - only to learn from police and the press that it was the remains of Mr Story.
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7NEWS
an hour 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.
The Australian
14 hours ago
- The Australian
SA Police believed to have found head of Tamika Chesser's alleged murder victim Julian Story
Police believe they have found the head of alleged murder victim Julian Story. The grisly discovery comes weeks after his girlfriend and former Beauty and the Geek contestant Tamika Chesser allegedly murdered him and removed his head at the pair's unit in Port Lincoln, South Australia. South Australian Police and SES volunteers spent more than a week fanning out across the scrubland and waters around Port Lincoln searching for Mr Story's head in the aftermath of the brutal alleged killing in June. The search was paused on July 1 but resumed last week, with police identifying several additional search sites in and around Port Lincoln. Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke made the announcement about the grim discovery at a press conference on Thursday. 'Earlier today, police received info from a member of the public in Port Lincoln they have located in a scrub what appeared to be a human skull,' he 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. 'To confirm this, those remains will be subject to further testing over the coming days. 'Those remains currently remain in Port Lincoln.' Mr Story's family were contacted and updated on next steps, the Superintendent said. 'Hopefully we can give them some comfort that we have found all the remains of Julian.' A dog walker made the discovery, Superintendent Fielke said. 'There are some walking tracks through there. My understanding is the person who contacted us today was walking their dog in the area. The dog ran off into the scrub, it didn't come back when called. The person went into the scrub to find the dog, and discovered the skull off the walking track. 'They had to walk into the scrub area to find it (the skull). (The remains) were not buried. They were quite out in the open.' Port Lincoln local Katie, speaking with NewsWire, said she felt 'relieved' by the news. 'I'm relieved for the family, it's a bit of closure for them,' she said. 'But I feel devastated for the person that found it.' Katie's friend, who did not wished to be named, said she was no longer worried she would stumble across the head. The pair said they expected the discovery to reignite conversation and interest in the horrific incident among locals. 'It's going to go mental,' Katie said. Greg, a Port Lincoln local, said earlier in the day locals in the town discussed the case regularly. 'It was a gruesome bloody incident,' he said. 'This town, we've never had anything like that before.' Police allege Ms Chesser murdered Mr Story at about midnight on June 17. Mr Story's body was found on the afternoon of June 19 following a small fire at the unit and Ms Chesser was arrested in the yard of the home. Mr Story was a Port Lincoln local, while Ms Chesser had only recently moved to the area from Queensland. The cause of death is still being investigated, he added, and a motive remains unknown. 'We know they were in a relationship together, and I'm not suggesting that is a motive, but it is something that is being explored,' Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said in an update from June. Police allege Ms Chesser was captured on CCTV walking with a bag, dogs, and dressed in heavy clothing in the hours after Mr Story's death. Ms Chesser has been charged with murder, destroying human remains, and assaulting a police officer. The assault matter will be heard at Port Lincoln Magistrates Court on July 31, while the murder case is booked to appear in court in December. Ms Chesser is currently being held at psychiatric facility James Nash House. 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. She has also posted a series of images that appear to reflect Jewish and Hindu mythology. More to come. Duncan Evans is a reporter for News Corp's NewsWire service, based in Adelaide. Before NewsWire, he worked as a resources and politics reporter for The Daily Mercury in Mackay, Queensland and as a reporter at CQ Today, an independent newspaper based in Rockhampton. He was raised in Emerald and Brisbane and studied English Literature and American Studies at the University of Sydney. He began his career in journalism working for the Jakarta Post in Indonesia for over two years as an editor, translator and writer. He is fluent in Indonesian. 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Sky News AU
a day ago
- Sky News AU
Police deliver major update in search for the missing head of Julian Story, allegedly murdered by a former Beauty and the Geek star
South Australian Police believe that a head found by a member of the public is that of Julian Story, who was allegedly murdered by former Beauty and the Geek star Tamika Chesser. SA Police Major Crime boss Darren Fielke told a press conference today that a human head had been found on Thursday by a member of the public in scrubland near Port Lincoln. "Earlier today, police received information from a member of the public in Port Lincoln that they had located in a scrub area what appeared to be a human skull. 'There are some walking tracks through there, my understanding is the person who contacted us today was walking their dog in the area. The dog ran off into the scrub, it didn't come back when called.' He said police believe the head to be the remains of Mr Story, who was allegedly murdered by former Beauty and The Geek star Tamika Chaser on June 17. 'Julian's family have been contacted today and provided an update in relation to what has been located and what the ongoing process is from here. Hopefully we can give them some comfort that we have found all the remains of Julian,' he said. The discovery comes after police were notified about potential new site zones, which turned up an Elvis t-shirt, a drink bottle and a wristband in a cemetery near Port Lincoln. Ms Chaser, who took part in the 2010 season of the show, was charged with murder and interfering with human remains with intent to pervert the course of justice. She appeared in court via video link on Thursday in relation to three separate matters and is yet to be formally interviewed by police over the alleged murder of Mr Story. On the night of the alleged murder, police believe Ms Chesser was captured on CCTV walking her dogs wearing a head covering. She is alleged to have lit a fire to dispose of Mr Story's remains, which were spotted by a member of the public who thought it was a smouldering fire - only to learn from police and the press that it was the remains of Mr Story.
