A former reality television contestant is at the center of a horrific murder case that has sent shockwaves through South Australia.

Tamika Sueann-Rose Chesser, a 34-year-old ex-participant on Beauty and the Geek Australia, has been charged with murdering her boyfriend, 39-year-old Julian Story, whose head remains missing following the grisly June 17 discovery in Port Lincoln, as the New York Post reports.

On June 17, authorities responded to a small fire at an apartment in the coastal city of Port Lincoln. Inside, they discovered a gruesome crime scene: the charred, decapitated body of Julian Story -- Chesser’s boyfriend -- lying on the bathroom floor. Chesser was located in the apartment’s backyard, described in court records as being in a catatonic, unresponsive state.

Chesser was arrested two days later and charged with murder. In addition to the murder count, she faces charges of improperly disposing of human remains and assaulting a police officer during processing. She is being held under a mental health detention order and has been denied bail pending a committal hearing scheduled for December.

Search intensifies for missing head

As of June 27, authorities have yet to recover Story’s severed head, which police say is a critical piece of physical evidence. Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke emphasized the emotional toll on the victim’s family. “I can only imagine…the grief this news is causing Julian’s family,” he said.

Fielke said returning the head to Story’s loved ones is a top priority for investigators. “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,” he said, urging the community to come forward with any pertinent information.

Security footage taken around midnight on the day of the killing shows a woman, suspected to be Chesser, walking three dogs through Port Lincoln dressed in black clothing. Investigators believe this occurred shortly after the homicide took place, potentially marking movements related to the disposal of evidence.

Sister defends suspect, cites past trauma

Chesser, once a recognizable face on Australian reality TV, now finds herself at the center of the nation's attention for a deeply troubling reason. Her sister, Kiya-May, addressed the public following the charges and attempted to humanize her sibling. "This is not her," she said.

She went on to say her sister had experienced a long history of trauma and abuse, which she believes significantly impacted her mental state. “She would never do these things,” Kiya-May asserted, adding that Chesser's struggles had “fried her brain.”

The claims add a complicated emotional layer to a case already fraught with public horror and heartbreak. But prosecutors have remained focused on the timeline, evidence, and securing justice for Julian Story and his grieving family.

Investigators appeal for footage

As the investigation continues, authorities are canvassing local neighborhoods, asking residents and business owners to review any footage from around the time of the murder. Fielke said law enforcement is especially interested in dash cam and closed-circuit footage recorded near the crime scene.

“I’m appealing to residents to review CCTV or dash cam footage, which they may have, which may assist the investigation,” said Fielke. The footage could help authorities better trace Chesser’s movements and possibly identify where the missing head is located. This public appeal underscores the complexities and challenges detectives face as they try to tie together the chain of events that led to the death and dismemberment of a man whose family is still awaiting the return of his remains.

Lessons to learn

While no one ever expects to become the victim of such violence, there are lessons to be drawn from this heartbreaking case:

1. Awareness of mental health warning signs: Loved ones and community members should seek support or intervention if someone appears to be suffering from extreme emotional distress or exhibiting erratic behavior. Situations that escalate into violence often have visible warning signals long before tragedy occurs.

2. Prompt reporting can aid justice: Authorities were alerted to the scene due to a report of a small fire. Quick action and reporting from concerned citizens enabled the rapid involvement of emergency services, which can be vital in preserving evidence and ensuring public safety.

3. Trust your instincts and surroundings: If something or someone seems out of place—such as a confused individual or strange activity in your neighborhood—it’s always best to report it. Your observations could provide officers with crucial leads in an active investigation.

Despite these best practices, it is important to remember that crime can happen to anyone, and victims should never be blamed for the actions of others.

Why this story matters

This case is a sobering reminder of how tragedy can emerge in the most unexpected places -- even among public figures. It also highlights the challenges surrounding mental health and crime, and the importance of community involvement in uncovering vital information.

The continued search for critical evidence, such as the victim’s head, and the use of public surveillance in solving the case, underscores how collaborative efforts are key in modern investigations.

Most importantly, this story centers around the loss of a life and a grieving family desperate for closure—an aspect that deserves the community’s empathy and support.