Former Beauty and the Geek contestant’s murder case adjourned as SA court awaits more evidence
A significant amount of evidence is outstanding in the “complex” alleged murder case involving former Beauty and the Geek contestant Tamika Chesser, a court has heard.
The 35-year-old appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court via video link from psychiatric facility James Nash House, where prosecutor Lisa Duong asked the case be adjourned because material, including a post-mortem report and a large volume of DNA evidence, was yet to be received.
“I can advise the court that there is material which is outstanding which the Director [of Public Prosecutions] requires in order to make an assessment in relation to charge determination,” she said.
“That is, in particular, a post-mortem report.”
Ms Chesser is charged with the murder of 39-year-old Julian Story and one count of destroying human remains to pervert the course of justice.
Police say a significant amount of evidence is outstanding in the alleged murder case of Julian Story. (Supplied: SAPOL)
Mr Story’s dismembered body was found in the Port Lincoln unit the couple shared on June 19, after emergency services responded to reports of a fire.
Ms Duong said the post-mortem report was not expected until early February or March, while evidence from two crime scenes, including a “fire examination” and “light pattern analysis”, was also yet to be received, along with an analysis of information from mobile phones belonging to Ms Chesser and Mr Story.
“Also, there is DNA evidence, which is outstanding. Given the volume of the DNA evidence in this matter, the report will be provided in two stages,” Ms Duong said.
She said the first of those reports would be completed by mid-April, while the second was expected to be ready in early July.
Ms Chesser, who is reportedly pregnant, spoke just once during the hearing, responding “yes” when asked if she could hear and see the courtroom over the audiovisual link.
Defence lawyer Rosie Denny told the court Ms Chesser was expected to remain in James Nash House for some time and that the defence team would be investigating whether mental health played a role in the offending.
Ms Chesser was a contestant on the television show Beauty and the Geek in 2010.
Former Beauty and the Geek contestant Tamika Chesser has been accused of murder. (Supplied)
In late July, Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said a member of the public who was walking their dog had found Mr Story’s skull in scrubland at Port Lincoln, on the Eyre Peninsula.
“They weren’t on the walking track, or in visible sight or vision of the walking track, you actually had to walk into that scrub area to find it,” he said at the time.
He said the remains were “quite in the open” when police arrived.
In September, police said forensic testing confirmed the skull belonged to Mr Story.
Chief Magistrate Judge Mary-Louise Hribal adjourned the case until May, noting the matter was “complex” and awaiting a considerable amount of evidence.
