Source : Perth Now news
A reality television contestant accused of the murder and beheading of her ex-partner has entered pleas in court for the first time.
Tamika Chesser, 34, allegedly killed her ex-partner Julian Story, 39, in June last year and has been charged with his murder.
Ms Chesser, a former Beauty and the Geek contestant, appeared at Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday via video link from James Nash House, a mental health facility in South Australia.
She was wearing a full face of make-up and a prison shirt when asked to enter pleas to the charges of murder and destroying human remains to pervert the course of justice.
“Not guilty,” Ms Chesser replied.
Prosecutors allege that Ms Chesser murdered Mr Story in Port Lincoln in South Australia before beheading him and burning the remains of his body.
Mr Story’s head was shockingly discovered in July 2025 by a dogwalker and his beagle, Benji.
Since being placed under arrest and charged with murder, Ms Chesser has been held in a secure mental health facility.
During this period, Ms Chesser became a mother, having been pregnant at the time of her arrest.
She gave birth in March this year while in custody at the facility in Oakden, 10km north of Adelaide.
After entering not guilty pleas, Ms Chesser is set to stand trial on the two charges. However, prior to any trial beginning, an investigation into her mental state will be carried out.
Her legal representatives told the court they would seek a Part 8A investigation, carried out under state law, to ascertain whether an accused person has the mental fitness to stand trial.
Magistrate John Clover remanded Ms Chesser into mental health custody, with a further hearing scheduled in the South Australian Supreme Court in November.
