From catwalks in Queensland to a murder charge in SA, who is the alleged Beauty and the Geek killer Tamika Chesser?

Beauty and the Geek finalist Tamika Chesser’s friends describe a kind, sweet but naive person. So who is the woman now charged with the horrific murder that has stunned the nation?

Former Beauty and the Geek finalist Tamika Chesser is no stranger to the limelight, having appeared on TV, in Playboy magazine and sold content on OnlyFans.

She’s now been charged with the gruesome killing and dismembering of her boyfriend Julian Story in the regional town of Port Lincoln – sending shockwaves across the world.

But who was she before she made international headlines?

From walking catwalks in Queensland as a teen, to appearing on national TV in early adulthood, now in custody and charged with murder, here’s Tamika Chesser’s life from young girl to alleged killer.

Adult entertainer who just wanted love

Tamika Chesser was a woman with a heart of gold, would constantly give people second chances and just wanted to be loved, one of her friends says.

Speaking exclusively to The Advertiser on Monday, Ms Chesser’s Sydney based nail technician and friend Hannah Bockman said she didn’t know the former bikini model to have a violent bone in her body.

“She was the kind of person to constantly just give people second chances,” she said.

“She was in the adult entertainment industry, so the line of work she was in would often mean she’d be around some sketchy characters. I would chat to her about it and she’d always just be positive and give out chance after chance.

“The last time I saw her was about a year and a half ago. She was based in Queensland and would travel down to Sydney for work and I’d do her nails when she was here. I know she would stay in a granny flat with a few other girls.

“That last time I did her nails, she had a black eye. She was usually really open about her life, would chat about anything, but she just didn’t want to talk about it.

Beauty and the Geek reality show runner-up Tamika Chesser. Picture: Instagram

Tamika was an animal lover. Picture Supplied

“I don’t think she was the best judge of character.”

Ms Bockman, who knew Ms Chesser for five years, said she didn’t know the former TV star to have “an ounce of aggression in her body” so was shocked when she heard about the murder charge.

“She was the sweetest person. I think she just really wanted to be loved. She was quite a socialite and she was always so bubbly, that’s why I was just so shocked and thought there’s no way that could be her.

Most of all, Ms Chesser’s biggest loves were her animals, Ms Bockman said.

“She rescued a kitten here in Sydney,” Ms Bockman said. “She was just really animal driven.”

All of her friends and family were based in Queensland, she said, revealing the star had no real ties to South Australia.

“I honestly have no idea why she ended up there. She was back and forth between Sydney and Queensland for work but I don’t know what would have brought her to South Australia.”

Teenage life: Where did Tamika grow up?

Tamborine Mountain College Formal at Versace. Tamika Chesser.

Tamika Chesser at the Tamborine Mountain College Formal in 2008.

In 2005, at just 14 years old, Tamika – then living in the Sunshine Coast – was already showing her potential as a model, photographed on a catwalk.

In April 2005, Tamika, then 14, struts her stuff on the catwalk. Photo: Chris McCormack

'Beauty and the Geek' contestants Tamika Chesser and Thomas Richardson-Smith having fun in the hot weather.

Reality TV and work life: Beauty and the Geek

In 2010, Tamika was a runner up on the second season of Beauty and the Geek Australia – a show which pairs opposite “beauties” with “geeks” in an attempt to find love.

Winners receive a cash prize, but the “social experiment” aims to enlighten each contestant to the lifestyle of their opposite.

Ms Chesser was a runner up to NSW woman Jessie Byrne and her “geek” Michael Price on the series’ second season in 2010.

According to her acting and modelling profile, two years after appearing on BATG, Ms Chesser was a “stand in” on the UK series of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.

The reality star’s career profile tells potential employers that she “delivers a positive attitude to any surroundings and is very engaging, ambitious, honest and reliable with a polite, down-to-earth nature”.

It says she “enjoys maintaining her health and fitness and a balanced lifestyle”

“Tamika continues to aim for high success and new challenges.”

Beauty & The Geek contestants Michael Price and Tamika Chesser, then 20. Picture: Isaac Lawrence

'Beauty and the Geek' contestants Tamika Chesser and Thomas Richardson-Smith having fun in the hot the weather.

Before appearing on TV, Ms Chesser worked as a grid girl, appeared in multiple commercials – according to her profile – and competed in Queensland modelling competitions.

In April 2021, she changed careers again to produce adult content on OnlyFans, as well as sharing more provocative images on her social media pages.

She has also appeared in Playboy magazine in Mexico and South Africa, modelling under the name “Mika Chesser”.

From Qld model to Port Lincoln alleged murderer

Major Crime detectives were called to the Eyre Peninsula town of Port Lincoln on Thursday June 19, 2025, after reports of a house fire.

According to court documents, a neighbour told police he saw smoke coming from the unit, and after seeing Ms Chesser leave with her dogs, he entered through the unlocked back door.

Police released this image, saying this was Tamika after she killed Mr Story. Picture: SA Pol

More images of the former TV star screaming and with a shaved head at a venue in Port Lincoln before her arrest have also emerged. Picture: 7NEWS

“In the bathroom of the unit, he located a bundle of clothing rags and debris which were smouldering,“ documents said.

Police said that once the scene was secured by firefighters, they entered and located her partner Julian Story’s remains “severely burned and disfigured” on the bathroom floor.

Ms Chesser was arrested just before 4.30pm on that day, and taken to hospital where she remained for her first court appearance.

She did not apply for bail, but prosecutors in that hearing applied for a suppression order on her and her alleged victim’s identities, as well as the circumstances of his death and the investigation.

The court was asked to detain her under a mental health order and she is due to appear in court again in December.

Police have since revealed is head has yet to be located, with police and SES in Port Lincoln continuing the search for the missing body part.

It has emerged her family had previously disclosed concerns for her psychological state.

Her sister has spoken out for the first time, revealing that her family held concerns for her mental health in recent times.

“It’s my sister but that’s not who she is or the Tamika we know – that’s not the Tamika anyone knows,” she told 9News.

“It just started getting worse, you know, and she started being in and out of mental health.

“She didn’t mention anything and she just told everyone that she loves them.”

SA Police on Sunday confirmed they had not yet located Mr Story’s missing head, with the search expected to continue across the coming days.

Originally published as From catwalks in Queensland to a murder charge in SA, who is the alleged Beauty and the Geek killer Tamika Chesser?