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From reality TV to a murder charge, here’s what we know about Port Lincoln alleged killer Tamika Chesser

A former reality TV star, international model and adult content creator can be revealed as the woman who allegedly killed a man and set fire to his remains. Here’s all we know about her.

A former reality TV star, international model and adult content creator can now be revealed as the woman who allegedly killed a man and set fire to his remains.

Tamika Chesser, 34, was the runner up on the 2010 season of Beauty and the Geek before turning to a career in bikini modelling and adult content creation.

Originally from Queensland where she worked as a grid girl, she has appeared in Autobabes magazine, as well as in Playboy in Mexico and South Africa all under the name “Mika Chesser”.

But last week, police arrested her and charged her with murdering her partner Julian Story at their Flinders Hwy home in Port Lincoln.

Here’s everything we know about the reality star-turned-alleged killer.

Beauty and the Geek reality show runner-up Tamika Chesser. Picture: Facebook
Beauty and the Geek reality show runner-up Tamika Chesser. Picture: Facebook
She’s been charged with murdering Julian Story in Port Lincoln last week. Picture: Facebook
She’s been charged with murdering Julian Story in Port Lincoln last week. Picture: Facebook

Murder allegations

Major Crime detectives were called to the Eyre Peninsula town of Port Lincoln on Thursday June 19 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.

“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 Mr Story’s remains “severely burned and disfigured” on the bathroom floor.

Ms Chesser was arrested just before 4.30pm 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.

In court on Friday morning, Magistrate Ben Sale lifted a suppression order that had prevented the publication of her name and image, as well as the identity of her alleged victim.

Major Crime detectives investigated the ‘deliberately lit’ house fire after man’s body found in Port Lincoln. Picture: Robert Lang
Major Crime detectives investigated the ‘deliberately lit’ house fire after man’s body found in Port Lincoln. Picture: Robert Lang

Work history

Beauty and the Geek, which pairs opposite “beauties” with “geeks” in an attempt to find love, originally aired on Channel 7 but has since been a show on Channel 9.

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

Ms Chesser and her paired partner, Victorian man Thomas Richardson-Smith, were runners 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”.

According to her online career profile, she enjoys a healthy lifestyle. Picture: Facebook
According to her online career profile, she enjoys a healthy lifestyle. Picture: Facebook
Beauty and the Geek reality show runner-up Tamika Chesser. Picture: Facebook
Beauty and the Geek reality show runner-up Tamika Chesser. Picture: Facebook

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

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”.

Social media posts

Before her arrest, Ms Chesser frequently took to social media sharing her bikini photos, various meals and inspirational and uplifting quotes.

Some of those quotes read:

“The best thing about life is that everything I’ve ever lost has been replaced with something better. I never lack, I just transition.

Beauty and the Geek reality show runner-up Tamika Chesser is charged over an alleged murder at Port Lincoln. Picture: Facebook
Beauty and the Geek reality show runner-up Tamika Chesser is charged over an alleged murder at Port Lincoln. Picture: Facebook

“Be a reflection of what you’d like to receive. If you want love, give love. If you want truth, be truthful. If you want respect, give respect. What you give out will return to you.”

“Be the reason why people believe in beautiful souls, kind hearts and good energy. Never stop being a good person.”

Most recently, she posted images of cartoon Egyptian cats and artworks from various religions including Judaism and Hinduism.

Originally published as From reality TV to a murder charge, here’s what we know about Port Lincoln alleged killer Tamika Chesser

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/south-australia/from-reality-tv-to-a-murder-charge-heres-what-we-know-about-alleged-port-lincoln-killer-tamika-chesser/news-story/a56bd5169f4fdfd6f9d3905d665e2fd7