The headlines coming out of Port Lincoln lately feel less like news and more like a script from a dark psychological thriller. It’s hard to reconcile the images. On one hand, you have the bubbly, bright-eyed woman who once charmed national audiences on Beauty and the Geek. On the other, there’s the recent, grim footage of a woman in a black headscarf walking through the streets of a coastal town under the most horrific of circumstances.
Tamika Sueann Rose Chesser is currently at the center of a criminal investigation that has effectively stopped the heart of South Australia.
The Reality TV Past and the Port Lincoln Present
Most people first met Tamika Chesser back in 2010. She was a runner-up in the second season of Beauty and the Geek Australia. Back then, the narrative was about personal growth, mismatched pairs, and reality TV stardom. She was a model and an actress. She had a life in the spotlight. But fifteen years later, the spotlight has returned in a way nobody could have predicted.
In June 2025, authorities were called to a property on the Flinders Highway in Port Lincoln. They were originally there for a fire. What they found inside was a crime scene so complex that even veteran detectives seemed shaken during their press conferences. Julian Story, a 39-year-old man and Tamika's partner, was dead.
The details are admittedly stomach-churning. Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke eventually confirmed that Mr. Story had been dismembered. For weeks, the community held its breath as police searched for specific remains that were missing from the scene.
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The Search for Julian Story
For a long time, the investigation focused on a missing piece of the puzzle: the head of Julian Story. It’s a detail that sounds sensationalist, but for the family, it was a matter of basic human dignity. They couldn’t even hold a funeral without his full remains.
Police released CCTV footage of a woman, believed to be Tamika Sueann Rose Chesser, walking three dogs just hours after the alleged murder. She was dressed in all black. She looked calm.
The breakthrough came from an unlikely source. A local resident was walking their own dog in an area known as "slipway scrub," suburbs away from the original crime scene. The dog ran off into the brush and wouldn’t come back. When the owner went in to retrieve the pet, they stumbled upon a human skull.
Forensic testing later confirmed what everyone feared. It was Julian.
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Mental Health and Legal Complexities
One of the most significant aspects of this case—and something that often gets lost in the true crime fervor—is the role of mental health. Tamika Sueann Rose Chesser wasn't sent to a standard prison cell immediately after her arrest.
She was placed in James Nash House.
If you aren't familiar, James Nash House is a secure forensic mental health facility in South Australia. It’s where people go when there are serious questions about their fitness to stand trial or their state of mind during an alleged offense. During her court appearances via video link, she has often appeared in what observers described as a "catatonic state."
Further complicating an already tragic situation is the recent revelation that Chesser is pregnant while in custody. This adds a massive layer of complexity for child protection agencies and the legal system. How do you navigate a murder trial of this magnitude when the accused is dealing with both severe mental health struggles and a pregnancy?
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Charges and What Comes Next
Tamika is facing a heavy list of charges:
- Murder
- Interfering with human remains (to pervert the course of justice)
- Assaulting a police officer
The assault charge allegedly happened the day after her arrest. It’s clear the situation at the station was volatile.
The case is currently moving through the Adelaide Magistrates Court. We aren't looking at a quick resolution here. These kinds of forensic cases, especially with the "catatonic" states and mental health evaluations involved, take years to reach a verdict.
Honestly, the town of Port Lincoln is still reeling. It’s a tight-knit place where people usually know their neighbors. To have a former reality star move in and then have a "planned and coldly calculated" crime occur in their backyard is something that doesn't just go away.
Actionable Insights for Following the Case
If you are following the developments regarding Tamika Sueann Rose Chesser, it is important to filter the noise from the facts.
- Monitor the South Australian Courts Portal: Official hearing dates and outcomes are listed here. Avoid relying solely on social media "true crime" accounts that often speculate on motives without evidence.
- Understand the Mental Health Act: Because Chesser is in a forensic facility, the legal proceedings will follow a different path than a standard criminal trial. Look for updates regarding "fitness to plead" hearings.
- Respect the Victim's Family: Julian Story’s family has asked for privacy as they finally lay him to rest.
The legal system in Australia moves slowly for a reason—to ensure that even in the most gruesome cases, the process is followed to the letter. We likely won't see a trial start until deep into 2026 or beyond.