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A former reality TV star, Tamika Chesser, has been charged with murder after her partner, Julian Story, was found dismembered and without his head in their apartment in South Australia.
Investigation Ongoing
According to the South Australia Police, authorities were initially called to the apartment after receiving a report about a small fire. When police officers arrived at the scene, they found "deceased remains which were severely burnt and disfigured."
Police believe Story was killed around midnight on Tuesday, June 17. Chesser is accused of dismembering Story's body, and his head has not yet been located. Authorities are still searching for the victim's head, which is crucial for the family to have a funeral and lay him to rest.
Witness Account
A witness told police that he observed smoke coming from the apartment and saw Chesser, who said "nothing" and then took her dogs for a walk and locked the front door. The witness was concerned that smoke or fire would spread and filled a bucket with water to extinguish the fire.
Chesser's Arrest and Court Appearance
Chesser was arrested and made a court appearance on June 27 via remote video from a mental health facility, where she is being held under a detention order. She was denied bail by a judge and is next due in court in December.
Police Appeal for Help
Authorities have released CCTV footage of Chesser to show what she was wearing around the time of Story's death, and they are now asking the public for help tracking the former reality star's movements the night of the murder by reviewing home security footage.
Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke told reporters that no motive is currently known, and that Chesser was compliant at the time of her arrest. He added that the most important thing in the investigation at this point is locating Story's head.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
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