PORT LINCOLN, Australia — Tamika Chesser, a former reality TV star known for appearing on the 2010 season of Beauty and the Geek Australia, has given birth while incarcerated, following her arrest for the murder and beheading of her boyfriend, Julian Story.
According to 9 News, Chesser, who was pregnant at the time of her arrest in June 2025, welcomed her child while being held in custody. The identity of the baby’s father remains undisclosed.
Details of the Crime
Chesser, 34 years old, was arrested in June 2025 after police found her 39-year-old partner, Julian Story, dismembered in their apartment in Port Lincoln, South Australia, on June 19. Story was believed to have been killed around June 17, and authorities were alerted after a neighbor reported a fire in the building.
When questioned by the neighbor, Chesser reportedly responded, “nothing,” before walking her dogs and locking the front door behind her. The neighbor then attempted to put out the fire by entering the apartment through the back door.
In the bathroom, the neighbor discovered smoldering debris, which they extinguished using two buckets of water.
When police arrived, they found Chesser seated in a garden chair in a catatonic, unresponsive state. The scene was described as confronting, as Story’s body had been dismembered, with his head missing.
Despite extensive efforts to locate it, Story’s head was only recovered on July 31, after a dog found the skull in a scrub area.
Chesser’s Background and Legal Status
Chesser, a former model who has worked with brands like Playboy and Ralph, became known to the public through her appearance on Beauty and the Geek Australia, a show that mirrors the American version hosted by Ashton Kutcher.
She is currently being held in a mental health facility outside Adelaide and is set to appear in court again in April 2026. Her mental state and involvement in the crime are being evaluated as part of ongoing proceedings.
The Investigation
The investigation into Julian Story’s murder has been a challenging one for authorities, particularly with the difficulty of locating his severed head. However, as Detective Fielke noted, recovering Story’s head was crucial for his family, as they could not lay him to rest until the missing remains were found.
The case has drawn significant attention due to its gruesome nature, Chesser’s background in the public eye, and the mystery surrounding the events leading up to Story’s death.
Tamika Chesser remains in custody as the legal process continues. While the investigation into Julian Story’s death has resulted in the recovery of his remains, the circumstances surrounding his murder and Chesser’s mental health will be critical elements as the case moves forward in court next month.
