Latest news with #TamikaChesser
The Australian
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Australian
Alleged murder victim Julian Story farewelled at funeral service
Alleged murder victim Julian Story has been remembered as a 'very talented musician' and a 'bit of a trickster' as he was farewelled by loved ones at his funeral. Father Paul Bourke said the funeral at St Mary of the Angels Catholic Church in South Australia on Wednesday was a 'very joyful celebration' of Mr Story's life. Mr Story's girlfriend and former Beauty and the Geek contestant Tamika Chesser allegedly murdered him on June 17, and removed his head at the couple's unit in Port Lincoln. But Fr Bourke said said the family had been helped by the support of the community 'across every aspect of life here at Port Lincoln'. Julian Story has been remembered as a talented musician. Picture: Supplied by family Father Paul Bourke spoke after the service. Picture: NewsWire / Mark Thomas 'During the service, I mentioned today – August the 6th – is Hiroshima Day and (talked about) the atomic bomb, and the destruction and the devastation of that, and how life has grown again,' Fr Burke said. 'Certainly, Julian's family have been through such a traumatic time, but they are strong people supported by the community. 'They've got their own faith and their own beliefs in life, and that will certainly get them through.' Mr Story loved animals and music, as well as helping his father and grandparents in rural work, mourners were told. During the service, images of Mr Story were shown on a screen and some music he wrote was also on display. Father Paul Bourke said Mr Story's family had been through a traumatic time. Picture: NewsWire / Mark Thomas The funeral was held at St Mary of the Angels Catholic Church. Picture: NewsWire / Mark Thomas His body was found two days after he died following a small fire at the unit and Ms Chesser was arrested in the yard of the home. His head wasn't found until last week. Mr Story was a Port Lincoln local, while Ms Chesser had only recently moved to the area from Queensland. Ms Chesser has been charged with murder, destroying human remains and assaulting a police officer. She is yet to enter pleas. Julian Story was aged 39 when he died. Former reality TV star Tamika Chesser has been charged with murder. Picture: Supplied Last week, Mr Story's head was finally found in bushland by a man walking two dogs. 'The dog ran off into the scrub, it didn't come back when called,' Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke told reporters last Thursday. '(The man) had to walk into the scrub area to find it (the skull). (The remains) were not buried. They were quite out in the open.' The detective said the cause of death was still being investigated and a motive remained unknown. Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke gave an update on the case last week. Picture: NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe 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 several brands, including Target, and appeared in men's magazines, including Ralph and FHM, according to her profile on Star Now.
News.com.au
6 days ago
- News.com.au
Alleged murder victim Julian Story farewelled at funeral service
Alleged murder victim Julian Story has been remembered as a 'very talented musician' and a 'bit of a trickster' as he was farewelled by loved ones at his funeral. Father Paul Bourke said the funeral at St Mary of the Angels Catholic Church in South Australia on Wednesday was a 'very joyful celebration' of Mr Story's life. Mr Story's girlfriend and former Beauty and the Geek contestant Tamika Chesser allegedly murdered him on June 17, and removed his head at the couple's unit in Port Lincoln. But Fr Bourke said said the family had been helped by the support of the community 'across every aspect of life here at Port Lincoln'. 'During the service, I mentioned today – August the 6th – is Hiroshima Day and (talked about) the atomic bomb, and the destruction and the devastation of that, and how life has grown again,' Fr Burke said. 'Certainly, Julian's family have been through such a traumatic time, but they are strong people supported by the community. 'They've got their own faith and their own beliefs in life, and that will certainly get them through.' Mr Story loved animals and music, as well as helping his father and grandparents in rural work, mourners were told. During the service, images of Mr Story were shown on a screen and some music he wrote was also on display. His body was found two days after he died following a small fire at the unit and Ms Chesser was arrested in the yard of the home. His head wasn't found until last week. Mr Story was a Port Lincoln local, while Ms Chesser had only recently moved to the area from Queensland. Ms Chesser has been charged with murder, destroying human remains and assaulting a police officer. She is yet to enter pleas. Last week, Mr Story's head was finally found in bushland by a man walking two dogs. 'The dog ran off into the scrub, it didn't come back when called,' Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke told reporters last Thursday. '(The man) had to walk into the scrub area to find it (the skull). (The remains) were not buried. They were quite out in the open.' The detective said the cause of death was still being investigated and a motive remained unknown. 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 several brands, including Target, and appeared in men's magazines, including Ralph and FHM, according to her profile on Star Now.
The Australian
04-08-2025
- The Australian
Port Lincoln reacts to human head discovery in Tamika Chesser case
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. Picture: NewsWire / Duncan Evans SA Police delivered the shock announcement on Thursday afternoon. Picture: Dean Martin 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 Alleged murder victim Julian Story. Picture: 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. Picture: SA Police Ms Chesser appeared at Port Lincoln Magistrates Court on Thursday morning. Picture: NewsWire 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. Picture: Duncan Evans Port Lincoln is a famous fishing town located on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula. Picture: Duncan Evans 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. Duncan Evans Reporter 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. @Duncanevans01 Duncan Evans
Daily Mail
02-08-2025
- Daily Mail
Aussie dog walker shares the chilling moment his Beagle Benji discovered a human skull in Port Lincoln bushland
A dog walker has described the 'surreal' moment his Beagle Benji stumbled across what police believe to be the severed head of an alleged murder victim. The grisly discovery was made in scrubland near Port Lincoln in South Australia on Thursday and comes six weeks after Julian Story's suspected murder. His partner, former Beauty and the Geek contestant Tamika Chesser, has been charged with his murder but is yet to be formally interviewed by police. Tyson McCallum said his routine dog walk took a dramatic turn when Benji ran into bushland and wouldn't come back when called. 'I just went in a bit closer and kind of made the connection pretty quickly as to what I thought it was,' McCallum 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.' Police believe the remains are Mr Story's, though forensic testing is underway to formally confirm the identity. 'They've obviously been through a lot, can't even imagine it,' McCallum said. 'To have it I guess finalised, they can get some closure which will hopefully bring them some peace.' As for Benji, McCallum said the sharp-nosed pup would be rewarded. 'He will definitely get a few extra treats,' he said. Chesser has been charged with murder and with interfering with human remains to pervert the course of justice. Authorities on Friday expanded their search of the area, with police and State Emergency Service crews (SES) combing the reserve. Cadaver dogs were also deployed in the hunt for further remains. Forensic teams have collected several items from the scene, which have been sent to Adelaide for examination. Chesser appeared in Port Lincoln Magistrates Court with a shaved head via video link on Thursday in relation to three separate matters. The former cocktail waitress was thrust into the spotlight at the age of 19 when she appeared on series two of the Seven Network show in 2010.
News.com.au
01-08-2025
- News.com.au
Port Lincoln locals react to shock discovery of human skull in Tamika Chesser case
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. 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. 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. 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'. 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.
