Police suspend search for alleged murder victim Julian Story, but say they are yet to interview Tamika Chesser

The search for the missing head of a man believed killed in Port Lincoln has come to a sad end, as police reveal why they are yet to interview the reality TV star accused of his murder.

The former reality TV star who allegedly killed and dismembered her boyfriend has not been interviewed by police yet, but the search for his missing remains has now come to an end, cops say.

Major Crime boss Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke on Thursday revealed alleged murderer Tamika Chesser had not yet been interviewed about the death of her boyfriend Julian Story.

Ms Chesser, 34, was arrested last month and charged with Mr Story’s murder after police attended the scene of a house fire in Port Lincoln.

At that scene, police located the remains of Mr Story – all but his head, which has been the subject of weeks of searching in the local area.

Ms Chesser was a contestant on Beauty and the Geek in 2010 – over a decade before police say she killed Mr Story, a Port Lincoln local, after his remains were found burned in their home on June 19.

Detective Fielke said that over a month after her arrest, Ms Chesser has still not been formally interviewed by police about the alleged murder.

Alleged Port Lincoln murderer and former reality TV star Tamika Chesser. Picture Supplied

Alleged murder victim Julian Story was killed last month. Picture: Supplied by family

“It’s part of the investigation that has not yet been completed. We aren’t in a position yet to be able to talk to Tamika,” he said on Thursday.

“She is currently detained in James Nash House and we don’t have the opportunity at this point in time to interview her.
“When we do, we will, and we’re hopeful that she will be able to help us with some information, but at this stage, we have not been in a position to be able to talk to her.”

A search across Port Lincoln occurred in the days after the murder, including in the ocean directly in front of the main township.

“Unfortunately none of those searches at the time recovered the remains of Julian, and we suspended that searching in late June,” Detective Fielke said.

“Since then, we’ve been reviewing hours and hours of CCTV footage that has been provided to us by residents of Port Lincoln and business premises’. That has identified some new search areas, and also caused us to research some places that we looked at when we first went over there.”

Major Crime's Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke updating media on the conclusion of the search for Julian Story in Port Lincoln at SA Police Headquarters. Picture: NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

However, he said that despite best efforts, Mr Story’s remains have not yet been discovered.

“There were some items of interest located in the scrubland area around the cemetery yesterday. Those items have been seized and have been put to the forensic science centre for analysis. At this stage we don’t have the results of that testing.”

Detective Fielke said that despite searches resuming in the area over the past couple of days, those efforts would now be suspended unless any further information comes to light.

“At this point in time, there will be no more searching undertaken in Port Lincoln for the missing remains of Julian. We have exhausted all the areas of interest that have been made known to us in relation to this investigation. We will, however, go back and search if we receive specific information about where his remains might be. In terms for general searching in Port Lincoln, that has now stopped.

“We have been in contact with Julian’s family throughout this whole process.”

He said Mr Story’s family were satisfied with the investigation and would now move on and celebrate Julian’s life at a funeral service.

“We still encourage anyone with information about the murder to come forward, provide information, and that can include CCTV that we may not have yet.”