Source : Perth Now news
A murder-accused former reality TV contestant has made her first court appearance since giving birth behind bars earlier this year.
Tamika Chesser, who was runner-up on Beauty and the Geek in 2010, stands accused of decapitating her partner Julian Story and disposing of his body in June 2025.
Since her arrest and charges on June 19, 2025, the former model has been held under a mental health detention order at James Nash House in Adelaide.
The 34-year-old was pregnant at the time of her arrest and gave birth in custody in March.
On Tuesday, she made her first court appearance since the child’s arrival during a short, procedural hearing at Adelaide Magistrates Court.
Appearing via video link from the mental health facility wearing a plain black T-shirt, Ms Chesser was not required to speak at any point of the proceedings.
The hearing, which lasted less than a minute, confirmed that two charges against her – one of murder and one of destroying human remains to pervert the course of justice – would proceed and her legal team had not attempted to negotiate with prosecutors.
It means that in three months, Ms Chesser will be required to appear at the same court to answer the charges.
Her arrest relates to the death of 39-year-old Mr Story in Port Lincoln.
She was charged after some of his dismembered remains were discovered in a unit by police.
It is alleged that Ms Chesser carried out his murder about midnight on June 17, with Mr Story’s head shockingly discovered by a dog walker some weeks later, on July 31.
Police have previously alleged that Ms Chesser was captured on CCTV walking with a bag, dogs and dressed in heavy clothing in the hours after Mr Story’s death.
His skull was discovered in the scrub off Slipway Rd, on the eastern edge of the town.
Ms Chesser, of Port Lincoln, appeared in the second series of the reality show Beauty and the Geek.
Following her television appearance, she worked as a model for several brands, including Target, and appeared in men’s magazines including FHM.
She will answer the two charges against her on August 11.
