NewsBite

Port Lincoln search for missing head of alleged murder victim Julian Story continues as locals react to Tamika Chesser arrest

A man who shared a unit block with Tamika Chesser and Julian Story has spoke of what he saw and heard in the lead up to the grisly discovery in their home.

A neighbour of slain Port Lincoln man Julian Story and his murder-accused partner Tamika Chesser has described the horrific scene that confronted him when he rushed to help as fire broke out in their home-turned-crime scene.

Jordan Ware said he ran to help put out a smouldering pile after a fire broke out in the home on June 19.

That pile, it has since been claimed by SA Police, was Mr Story’s remains.

“The smoke alarm was going off and I opened the back door and said ‘Tamika are you in there’ but I think she took the dogs for a walk,” Mr Ware told The Advertiser.

“I just saw smoke and flames, I just got a bucket and filled it up with a hose and tried to put it out.”

The unit on Flinders Highway where the partial remains of Julian Story were found. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Mr Ware also said he heard the couple having an argument days before.

“I could hear him saying ‘Babe please don’t’ so I went to check on the door and she slammed the door straight on me,” he said.

The unit on Flinders Highway where the partial remains of Julian Story were found. Picture: Brett Hartwig
The unit on Flinders Highway where the partial remains of Julian Story were found. Picture: Brett Hartwig

He said Mr Story had lived in the house for more than three years, while his partner – a former Beauty and the Geek contestant and OnlyFans content creator – had only moved in within the last six months.

He said the couple both had their struggles, claiming that the former reality star often yelling and screaming about her pets.

The ordeal has traumatised the tight-knit community, with Mr Ware now considering moving out of the unit block.

Julian Story. Picture: image supplied by family
Julian Story. Picture: image supplied by family
Julian’s alleged murderer Tamika Chesser.
Julian’s alleged murderer Tamika Chesser.

Search for Julian Story’s head continues

The town of Port Lincoln remains on high alert as the search continues for the head of a local man who was allegedly murdered by his partner – a former Beauty and the Geek contestant and OnlyFans content creator.

Specialist police divers scoured Port Lincoln’s bay on Sunday, with crews also searching a popular walking path – the Parnkalla Trail – for the head of Julian Story.

The search is set to continue on Tuesday, as his family searches for some form of closure following his shocking death.

Officers, alongside SES crews and local police, have also scoured through scrubland as they retraced his partner Tamika Chesser’s steps in the days between Julian’s death on June 17 and reports of a fire in their unit at 3.30pm on June 19.

Harry Singh who owns Ampol service station where CCTV footage captured Tamika Chesser has spoken about the victim and accused killer – both who were customers. Picture: Brett Hartwig
Harry Singh who owns Ampol service station where CCTV footage captured Tamika Chesser has spoken about the victim and accused killer – both who were customers. Picture: Brett Hartwig
Beauty and the Geek reality show runner-up Tamika Chesser is accused of Julian Story’s murder. Picture: Facebook
Beauty and the Geek reality show runner-up Tamika Chesser is accused of Julian Story’s murder. Picture: Facebook
She had shaved her head and was allegedly seen behaving erratically before her arrest. Picture: Facebook
She had shaved her head and was allegedly seen behaving erratically before her arrest. Picture: Facebook

They have released CCTV of Tamika – dressed in black – walking through Flinders Park and Pioneer Park with her two dogs in the days following the alleged murder.

Locals say she moved to Port Lincoln around 12 months ago with a former partner, with the pair living in the local caravan park.

The pair reportedly split up last year, with Tamika left with just her beloved dogs in the caravan park.

The former Beauty and the Geek star then reportedly moved in with another man, before partnering up with Julian.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said Tamika was bright and bubbly while staying at the caravan park.

They said her behaviour shifted earlier this year, after moving into Julian’s unit.

Police say Tamika was captured on CCTV, walking past a Port Lincoln petrol station on a morning walk with her dog, carrying what looks like a jerry can – just hours before emergency services found Julian’s body inside their unit.

The owner of the Ampol service station Harry Singh said the pair would come into the store separately to buy snacks, drinks and sometimes cigarettes.

“Tamika was a regular customer, regular in the sense she used to come once or twice a week,” Mr Singh says.

“She always used to buy Hungry Jack’s from there (next door) and drinks from us.

“She was a very reserved woman.

“When I saw pictures (in the newspaper) she looked a bit different.”

He said Julian regularly shoplifted from the store, which he reported to local police last year.

“He would take Red Bulls, chips and Monster energy drinks … we always used to call the police.

He said Police had concerns about Julian’s mental health.

He said the news had rocked the tight-knit community.

“It is very, very scary, I never knew they were partners.

“He should have been behind bars.”

Originally published as Port Lincoln search for missing head of alleged murder victim Julian Story continues as locals react to Tamika Chesser arrest

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/south-australia/port-lincoln-search-for-missing-head-of-alleged-murder-victim-julian-story-continues-as-locals-react-to-tamika-chesser-arrest/news-story/3eaed0834e8771e1f1b8ebf85381fdda