Chilling CCTV footage emerges as police search for victim's head after reality star girlfriend charged with murder
This article contains discussion of murder and domestic violence which some readers may find distressing.
CCTV footage showing a woman suspected of killing and dismembering her boyfriend has been released.
Former Australian reality TV star Tamika Sueann Rose Chesser was arrested in the city of Port Lincoln, southern Australia on 19 June for allegedly murdering her partner Julian Story.
Emergency services had recovered Story's burnt and dismembered body in the couple's shared apartment, after being called to tackle a fire in the unit. Once the fire was extinguished, fire fighters recovered the 39-year-old's remains.
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Police were then called to the scene and Chesser - who is best known for appearing on reality series Beauty and the Geek Australia back in 2010 - was later arrested in the back garden.
Authorities on the scene described the 34-year-old as being in a 'catatonic and unresponsive state' at the time of arrest.
CCTV footage has since emerged showing Chesser in the hours before she allegedly set fire to her partner's remains.
In the clip - which was shared by Australian outlet 9News - Chesser is seen walking one of her dogs on the morning of 19 June.
Police in Port Lincoln allege that Chesser had killed Story on two days prior to the fire and are appealing for witnesses to come forward for further information on her whereabouts between the 17 to 19 June.
According to police documents, which were made public by ABC, a witness revealed they contacted emergency services after spotting smoke coming from the apartment as Chesser left to walk her dogs.
"The witness concerned that smoke or fire would spread... filled a bucket with water and entered unit 3 through the rear door," the document reads.
"In the bathroom of the unit, he located a bundle of clothing rags and debris which was smouldering."
Police later discovered Story's remains, which are said to have been 'severely burnt and disfigured'. The man's head had also been removed, with officers from South Australia recently revealing the search had since been called off.
Chesser remains in custody after being charged with murder and is being held at a psychiatric facility while awaiting trial.
She has been charged with murder and destroying human remains to pervert the course of justice as well as a separate charge regarding an assault against an emergency worker (via Sky News).
Meanwhile the ex-reality contestant's sister has spoken out to the media, telling 9News: "It's my sister, but that's not who she is or the Tamika that we know."
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. You can talk in confidence to the national domestic violence helpline Refuge on 0808 2000 247, available 24/7, or via live chat, available 10am-10pm, Monday to Friday.
Topics: World News, Crime, Australia
Brenna Cooper