Reality TV contestant Tamika Chesser accused of murdering partner Julian Story; mental health defense under review
Consensus Summary
Despite the differing details in some areas, both sources confirm the severity of the charges and the critical role of mental health evaluations in the proceedings. The case serves as a stark example of how reality TV backgrounds can intersect with criminal investigations, particularly when mental competence becomes a central issue. With the court’s return date set for February, the next few months will be pivotal in determining whether Chesser’s case proceeds to trial or requires further psychiatric assessment. The public and legal community will closely watch how these developments unfold, given the high-profile nature of the accused and the circumstances surrounding Story’s death.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Tamika Chesser, a former *Beauty and the Geek* contestant, has pleaded not guilty to murder and destroying human remains to pervert the course of justice
- The victim is Julian Story, a 39-year-old man whose remains were found in June 2025
- Story’s dismembered body was discovered in a fire at the couple’s unit in Port Lincoln, with his head found in scrubland east of the city a month later
- A psychiatric report found Chesser was 'provisionally mentally incompetent' to commit the offences, leading to a request for a further mental health assessment
- The case is being heard in South Australia’s Supreme Court, with a return date scheduled for February
- Chesser appeared via video link during the hearing, seated in a wheelchair
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The further psychiatric report is expected to take between four and five months, though the court noted it might be closer to three months.
- The prosecution and defence jointly requested the additional report, with the defence providing a private psychiatrist’s report from November 2025.
- Justice Adam Kimber presided over the hearing and expressed optimism about the timeline for the new report.
- Chesser was a runner-up on the 2010 series of *Beauty and the Geek*.
- She is currently held in a psychiatric facility (James Nash House) under a mental health detention order.
- Chesser was reportedly pregnant at the time of her arrest and gave birth in March, though it is unknown if Story is the father of the child.
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- ABC states Chesser is 39 years old, while 7NEWS reports she is 36.
- ABC does not mention Chesser’s pregnancy or birth in March, while 7NEWS explicitly states she gave birth during that time.
- ABC refers to the fire in June 2025 as the initial discovery of Story’s remains, while 7NEWS does not specify the exact month of the fire but confirms the head was found a month later.
Source Articles
Reality TV contestant 'mentally incompetent' to commit murder, report finds
A private psychiatric report has found former Beauty and the Geek contestant Tamika Chesser "provisionally mentally incompetent" to have murdered her partner.
Beauty And The Geek contestant Tamika Chesser mounts mental health defense beheading boyfriend
Chesser, who recently gave birth behind bars, has pleaded not guilty to the gruesome crime.
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