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7NEWS
5 days ago
- 7NEWS
New clues in 25-year-old suspected murder case of Melissa Trussell and her mother
Two new clues have been identified in the suspected murder of a teenage girl and her mother 25 years ago. Police have released details of two cars they are now seeking information about, as they continue to investigate the disappearance of Melissa Trussell, then aged 15, and her mother Rosemary Brown, then 33, in Adelaide in the year 2000. It comes as detectives have ruled out a car recently found submerged in water near where Brown's body was found. Melissa and her mother were last seen in Blair Athol, in Adelaide's north, about 2.30am on Saturday, May 13. Brown's body was found seven weeks later on July 2, in mangroves at Garden Island in Adelaide's northwest, but Melissa's body has never been found. Police suspect they were both murdered, with the rewards now totalling $1.2 million for anyone who provides information and assistance that leads to the conviction of the person or persons responsible. A car which was found submerged at Garden Island on July 24 this year has been dismissed as 'no longer of interest' in the investigation. It was found in the search area at Port Adelaide, near where Brown's body had been found, and examined by Water Operations Unit divers before being ruled out. However, a 'positive' public response to the investigation has since led to new clues, Major Crime Investigation Branch officer-in-charge Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said. 'As a direct result of information provided by members of the public, two new vehicles of interest have been identified,'' he said. 'This is a particularly disturbing case. A mother was murdered and her body disposed of and her teenage child remains missing, believed murdered. 'We believe that more than one person was involved in this horrific crime. These offenders murdered a mother and a 15-year-old child. 'Someone knows something about these murders and we implore those who know anything about this case to contact Crime Stoppers.' The first vehicle is a blue-coloured Ford XD Falcon sedan which a member of the public saw on several nights in the Osborne area in the days following the disappearance of Melissa and her mother, but prior to Brown's body being found. The second vehicle is a fawn-coloured Holden VB Commodore sedan with a distinctive brown trim on the lower part of the vehicle. Police said they would like to again speak to the person who called and provided valuable information in relation to that vehicle, which they said has assisted with progressing the investigation and for which the investigators are 'very grateful'. The caller is urged to contact police again via Crime Stoppers. Police are also appealing for anyone else who might have information about either of these two vehicles. This includes anyone who saw the blue Ford Falcon in the Osborne or Garden Island areas between May 13 and July 2, 2000, or who has any information about the fawn Holden VB Commodore. Fielke said investigations into cold case murders and long-term missing persons were challenging but 'there is a dogged determination on the part of the detectives assigned to this investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible for the murder of Rosemary and Melissa'. 'It is vitally important for the family and also to ensure those responsible are held accountable for their actions,'' he said. A reward for information and assistance that leads to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for the suspected murder of Melissa was earlier this year increased to $1 million, while there is a $200,000 reward on offer to solve Brown's murder. 'These rewards are a significant amount of money and can be life-changing for anyone who has information and is willing to come forward and assist,' Fielke said. 'Now is the time to come forward.' Stream free on
7NEWS
23-07-2025
- 7NEWS
South Australian Police search for Julian Story's missing head leads to items taken for evidence
Multiple bags of potential evidence have been collected by police during their continued search for the missing remains of an allegedly murdered man. Julian Story was allegedly murdered on June 17 by his girlfriend, Tamika Chesser, a former Beauty and the Geek contestant, at their unit in Port Lincoln, South Australia. A search to find his missing head is now underway at new additional search sites. Previous searches have been so far unable to locate his missing remains. Major Crime Investigation Branch, STAR Group officers and local Eyre Western police searched the Port Lincoln Graveyard, dense scrubland and an area at the Winters Hill emergency observation tower on Wednesday. A black shirt, two water bottles and a possible medical bracelet were found in the scrub by police and will be examined. No human remains were found, and the search will continue on Thursday. Police have appealed for public assistance tracking Chesser's movements around the time of the alleged murder, and have released CCTV images of the dark clothing she was seen wearing while walking three dogs Local residents are also urged to review any CCTV or dashcam footage they have which may assist the investigation. Anyone with any information or CCTV is urged to contact the police. Chesser has been charged with murdering Story, disposing of human remains to pervert the course of justice and assaulting a police officer. She is due back in court in December. Chesser remains in custody in a mental health facility.
9 News
22-07-2025
- 9 News
Search for man's remains continues after former reality contestant charged
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Warning: This story contains content some readers may find distressing. Tamika Chesser, 34, remains in police custody at a mental health facility in Adelaide after officers were called to a fire at the yard of their Flinders Highway home in Port Lincoln on June 19. Police allege the former Beauty and the Geek dismembered Story's body, leaving it without a head, two days before the fire. Tamika Chesser appeared on Beauty and the Geek at age 20 in 2010. (AAP) A multi-agency search crew have been extensively scouring the Port Lincoln area for Story's head. Today, Major Crime Investigation Branch Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said new information and specialist equipment had helped identify several more sites to search in and around Port Lincoln. "New search areas have been identified and by undertaking these renewed searches, we hope to find Julian's missing remains, which will give comfort to his family and allow them to peacefully lay him to rest," he said in a statement. "Police have reviewed a significant amount of CCTV footage since the incident which has provided a number of investigational leads." The sites will be searched over the coming days. Julian Story. (Nine) Late last month, police released vision of who they believe to be Chesser a few hours before the alleged murder. The woman in the footage is seen walking with a dog. Her sister previously told 9News that Chesser had been checked out of a mental health facility in Port Lincoln just weeks before the alleged murder, despite her family's pleas. She said they had been concerned about her mental health for months. "It's my sister, but that's not who she is or the Tamika we know. That's not the Tamika anyone knows," she said. Late last month, police released vision of who they believe to be Chesser. (South Australia Police) Anyone with information that may help the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636. Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467. South Australia Adelaide national Australia police crime mental health murder CONTACT US
News.com.au
02-07-2025
- News.com.au
‘Ongoing pain': SA Police issue fresh appeal to crack cold case disappearance, murder of mum and daughter
Police have made a fresh plea for information in a 25-year-old cold case involving the disappearance of a teenager and the unsolved murder of her mother, with a $1m reward now being offered to help crack the case. Rosemary Brown, 33 and her daughter Melissa, 15, were last seen leaving their Blair Athol home, near Adelaide, about 2.30am on May 13, 2000. The pair were reported missing by Ms Brown's friends the following day and a major crime was declared about a week later. On July 2 that same year, Ms Brown's body was found in mangroves at Garden Island. Melissa's remains have never been found. In a renewed appeal for help to solve the case, Major Crime Investigation Branch Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke urged anyone with information to come forward, no matter how insignificant it may seem. 'This is a particularly disturbing case. A mother was murdered and her body disposed of, (and) we believe Melissa was also murdered,' he said. 'It's tragic for the family of Rosemary and Melissa to experience this long passage of time with no answers about what happened to their loved ones. 'I have no doubt that numerous people either know what happened to Rosemary and Melissa or have information that will assist the investigation into their suspected murder. 'We appeal to them to contact police and provide that information.' No-one has ever been charged with any offences in relation to the disappearance of Ms Brown or Melissa. 'As you can imagine, that's 25 years of ongoing pain and suffering for the family, not knowing what has happened to Rosemary or Melissa, and also not allowing the family the ability to lay Melissa to rest,' he said. 'I have no doubt at all that there are people out there that know what happened to Melissa and Rosemary and have information that may assist the investigation into their disappearance and murder.' Sergeant Fielke said they identified persons of interest over the years and investigations were conducted on those people, but they never had enough evidence or information to lay charges. He said they had reviewed evidence and conducted DNA testing on items that had been seized in relation to the suspected double homicide. 'A handbag was found in the days after they were reported missing (which) will be resubjected to forensic testing,' he said. 'We're following some positive lines of inquiry, but we can always have more information, and sometimes it's those little pieces of the jigsaw puzzle that we're looking for to put it all together. 'We never give up on these things, and we'll always look for persons of interest or suspects in this case.' Sergeant Fielke said after two decades friendships and allegiances may have faltered or splintered and there could be people who wanted to get something off their chest. 'We think there are people that will know information, and the passage of time actually might help that, because they're not so tied to who they were 25 years ago,' he said. The South Australian government is offering a $1m reward for information and assistance leading to a conviction of the person, or persons, responsible for Melissa's suspected murder. A $200,000 reward is also being offered for information relating to Rosemary's murder. Melissa's father Barry and half-sister Kayla recently visited the last believed location of Melissa and her mother on Stirling St in Northfield remember her. Kalya said Melissa was her best friend and hoped to give her the farewell she deserved. 'We need to know where she is and what happened to her,' Kayla pleaded. 'We want to see the person or people who have caused our pain brought to justice.' Melissa's father Barry said he believed more than one person was involved in his daughter's disappearance. 'My message to the people responsible, because I don't believe it to be just one person: it's better to come forward now with information,' he said. 'A parent shouldn't outlive their child … and for a long time (Melissa's disappearance) has messed me up.
Sky News AU
20-06-2025
- Sky News AU
Former Beauty and the Geek star, 34, charged with murder after man found dead inside Port Lincoln home in South Australia
A former reality television star has been charged with murder after the body of her suspected partner was found inside a home in South Australia. Emergency services were called to a property on Flinders Highway in Port Lincoln on Thursday afternoon following reports of a small fire. Police officers went inside the house and found a deceased man. A 34-year-old woman was arrested at the scene and was later charged with murder. According to 7News, she had featured on reality show Beauty and the Geek. The show features a group of socially awkward but intellectual men who are paired up with beautiful women. They live in a mansion and compete for a cash prize. Detectives from the Major Crime Investigation Branch and Forensic Response Section officers flew to Port Lincoln on Thursday to assist local police with the investigation. Forensic officers spent several hours processing the crime scene. SA Police State Operations Service Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott said it is not known how long the man had been dead for and refused to comment on his injuries. He stressed to the public that the incident was not "random". "We understand that the female who has been arrested and the deceased male both lived at this address," he said at a press conference on Friday. Neighbours were shocked to hear the news, describing the woman as "really nice". Another said he tried to put the fire out but it was "too smoky". It is understood the couple recently moved in together. The woman faced court via video link from Port Lincoln Hospital under police guard. She is being held under a mental health order and is due to front court in December. The accused cannot be named due to a suppression order. Police encourage anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
