An Australian former reality television contestant has given birth while in custody after being charged with the alleged killing and dismemberment of her partner in a case that has gripped national attention.
Tamika Chesser, who appeared on the 2010 series of Beauty and the Geek Australia, welcomed a child while detained in South Australia, according to reports. Chesser was pregnant at the time of her arrest in June 2025, and the identity of the baby's father has not been publicly disclosed.
Discovery of a Gruesome Crime Scene
On 19 June 2025, police were called to the couple's flat in Port Lincoln, South Australia, shortly before 3:30 pm after a neighbour reported a fire at the property. According to court documents cited by Australian broadcaster ABC, the neighbour attempted to extinguish the blaze before emergency services arrived.
Inside the residence, authorities discovered the dismembered body of Chesser's partner, 39-year-old Julian Story. Police described the scene in stark terms, stating: 'It was a confronting scene for police and emergency services personnel as Julian's body had been dismembered.'
Officers added that 'Julian's head had been removed during the dismemberment and, despite extensive searches, has not yet been located,' highlighting the severity of the alleged crime.
Investigators believe Story was killed around 17 June, two days before his remains were discovered.
Witness Accounts and Arrest
Witness testimony has provided further insight into the events surrounding the discovery. A neighbour who noticed the fire reportedly asked Chesser what was happening, to which she replied 'nothing' before leaving the property to walk her dogs and locking the front door.
After she left, the neighbour entered through a rear door and attempted to extinguish smouldering debris. Court documents allege that 'in the bathroom of the unit, he located a bundle of clothing rags and debris, which was smouldering,' and used buckets of water to put out the fire.
When police arrived, Chesser was reportedly found in a severely distressed state. Documents cited in court allege that 'the accused was seated in a garden chair in the rear yard adjacent to unit 3 in a catatonic and unresponsive state.'
Search for Missing Remains
Following the discovery, authorities launched a large-scale search operation to locate the victim's missing head. Detectives emphasised the importance of recovering the remains to provide closure for the family.
'Recovering Julian's head to return it to his family so they can have a peaceful outcome, have a funeral, and lay him to rest, is a really important aspect for us,' Detective Darren Fielke said.
The search concluded weeks later, when the skull was discovered on 31 July 2025 in scrubland by a dog. Fielke described the moment, saying: 'One of those situations where the dog ran off into the scrub, the dog didn't come back immediately on being called.'
Background and Public Profile
Chesser previously gained public recognition through her appearance on Beauty and the Geek Australia, a reality television format that pairs socially contrasting contestants. The American version of the show was hosted by Ashton Kutcher.
She also worked as a model and appeared in publications including Playboy and Ralph, contributing to her public profile prior to the allegations.
Detention and Ongoing Proceedings
Chesser is currently being held in a secure mental health facility near Adelaide, where she remains under supervision while legal proceedings continue. Authorities have not disclosed details about custody arrangements for the newborn.
She is expected to return to court in April 2026 as the case progresses
The case continues to draw widespread attention due to its disturbing nature and the defendant's prior media presence. It also raises complex issues surrounding mental health, custodial care and the management of high-risk detainees.
Authorities have emphasised that investigations remain ongoing, with all allegations to be tested in court as proceedings unfold.
