The search for Julian Story’s missing remains will resume after fresh evidence led detectives to new areas of interest in a coastal town.
The South Australian man was allegedly killed by his partner, former Beauty and the Geek contestant Tamika Chesser, at their home in Port Lincoln on June 17.
Major crime detectives are to team up with local police and search new locations in Port Lincoln for the 39-year-old’s allegedly decapitated head.
Ms Tesser allegedly killed him about midnight on June 17 before setting fire to his body two days later.
‘We know that after his alleged murder, Julian’s body was dismembered and while I won’t provide any further detail about that at this time, I can tragically say that we have not recovered the head of Julian Story,’ Superintendent Fielke previously said.
SES volunteers, police divers and local patrols searched for days for Mr Story’s remains in parks, bushland and oceans surrounding 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,’ Det Supt Fielke said on Tuesday.
‘Police have reviewed a significant amount of CCTV footage since the incident which has provided a number of investigational leads. We also appreciate the ongoing assistance the community of Port Lincoln has provided throughout the investigation.’
The search for Julian Story’s missing remains will resume after fresh evidence led detectives to new areas of interest in a coastal town (the Port Lincoln man is pictured)
The South Australian man was allegedly killed by his partner, former Beauty and the Geek contestant Tamika Chesser, in Port Lincoln on June 17 (Chesser is pictured)
Chesser was allegedly discovered at the Port Lincoln apartment in an unresponsive state. She was arrested and taken to a psychiatric facility.
Police were alerted to the alleged killing when neighbours noticed a fire at Mr Story and Chesser’s home.
One neighbour entered the unit to throw water on what he believed to be a pile of smouldering rags, which were allegedly Mr Story’s headless remains.
Police later obtained and released CCTV images and video which showed Chesser walking three dogs and carrying a bag while wearing a Hijab-style head covering.
Detective Superintendent Fielke said it was ‘crucial’ Mr Story’s head was returned to his family so they could hold a funeral.
A spokesperson for Mr Story’s family thanked police and first responders for their ‘compassion and professionalism during this devastating time’.
Chesser’s sister, who did not want to be named, previously told Daily Mail Australia the former TV contestant had experienced a ‘life of trauma and abuse’ and ‘fried her brain’.
‘Please report how my sister is in a mental psychosis… This is not her,’ she said.
Chesser (pictured) became ‘very mentally ill,’ in the years since appearing on Beauty and the Geek, her sister said
Chesser shared a Port Lincoln unit (pictured) with Mr Story since December last year
Chesser was seen walking her dogs after the alleged murder of Mr Story (above)
She said ‘a lot has happened’ in Chesser’s life since her appearance on Beauty and the Geek.
‘In the past five years she’s become very mentally ill,’ the sister said.
‘This is a loss not only for Julian’s family but ours too.’
Residents in Port Lincoln told Daily Mail Australia that Chesser only arrived in the famous fishing port in December.
She arrived with a shaved head, and was known to visit shops in central Port Lincoln accompanied by a small dog.
Mr Story’s family also live in the town.
Mr Story resided in a rented flat along the Flinders Highway on his own until Chesser moved in.
It is unclear how Mr Story met the former cocktail waitress, whose full name is Tamika Sueann Rose Chesser, but it is believed she moved to South Australia from Queensland.
