A former reality TV contestant has pleaded not guilty to murdering, beheading and burning the body of her partner and will stand trial – but her lawyer has flagged a mental competency challenge.
On Tuesday, Tamika Chesser appeared in the Adelaide Magistrate Court by video link from the James Nash House mental health facility.
Wearing a full face of make-up and a prison-issue green shirt, Ms Chesser replied “not guilty” when asked for her plea over the alleged murder of Julian Story.
She also pleaded not guilty to a charge that she had interfered with, or destroyed Mr Story’s remains in an attempt to conceal her alleged crime.
Ms Chesser, 34, was charged with one count each of murder and destroying human remains over the June 2025 death of her partner, 39-year-old Julian Story in Port Lincoln.
Prosecutors have alleged she killed, then beheaded and burned the body of, Mr Story – his head was recovered a month later by a member of the public and his beagle, Benji.
Since her arrest, Ms Chesser has been held in secure James Nash House, where she subsequently gave birth.
On Tuesday, counsel for Ms Chesser conceded their client had a case to answer and that the matter should be the subject of a Supreme Court trial.
However, they said they would seek to have a Part 8A investigation carried out in that court prior to any trial.
Under state law, such an investigation looks into an alleged offender’s mental fitness to stand trial, or be found guilty of the offence charged.
Part 8A rulings can result in persons being found of guilty by reason of mental incompetence and being sentenced to lifetime care rather than prison.
Magistrate John Clover remanded Ms Chesser in mental health custody to face the Supreme Court in November, when a trial date will be set.