A human skull found near Port Lincoln may belong to Julian Story, South Australia Police revealed on Wednesday.
If so, it will bring closure to a month-long investigation, which has gripped national attention. Police believe the skull was found by a person walking his dog near scrubland.
The very isolated area sits just outside the town reserve and has never been searched by authorities. Preliminary indications favour that the remains could be Julian Story, but of course, the forensic test has to follow.
The discovery was announced in a press conference in Adelaide by Detective Superintendent Des Fielke. He goes on to explain how the SA Police are treating the finding of this site as a “critical breakthrough” in their investigation.
SA Police find skull amid Julian Story case; Tamika Chesser remains in custody
What led to this discovery?
On Tuesday afternoon, a dog walker came upon skeletal remains just east of Port Lincoln. It seems the dog ran into the bush and came out with a supposed human bone. The walker immediately alerted the police, who cordoned off the area for the forensic teams.
Later, the authorities confirmed it was a skull and that searches would be carried out in the nearby bushland. This area had never been a focus in previous operations by the South Australia Police or emergency crews.
Detective Superintendent Fielke added that there had been limited actionable intelligence available, and so the area was not originally searched. “We followed information available at the time,” was his explanation. “This was an unforeseen development.”
Who is Tamika Chesser?
Tamika Chesser, 34, has been charged with the murder of her partner of five years, Julian Story. She was arrested in June after the police found bloodied evidence in the couple’s unit at Port Lincoln.
Tamika Chesser once appeared in the Beauty and the Geek reality show. She has remained in custody since her arrest and has yet to enter a formal plea.
Since she is not taking part in any media interviews, nor was she publicly commenting on the case. The charges arose from an incident that happened on 17 June when Story was allegedly killed in their shared home.
Two days later, his semi-dismembered remains were found, leading to one of South Australia’s biggest manhunts.
Family seeks closure as funeral approaches
The latest discovery has been made known to the family of Julian Story, confirmed the police on Wednesday. They are now making arrangements to conduct a private funeral on 6 August in Port Lincoln.
They had held off on funeral proceedings earlier in hopes that all remains would be found.
Now that the skull has been located, they feel that peace may finally come their way. Having learned of developments in the investigation, detectives described the family as “devastated but grateful.”
“Their pain is unimaginable,” said Fielke “We are doing everything to bring them answers.”
Family and relatives of Julian Story are seeking privacy as they prepare for ceremonies. Meanwhile, the police will maintain contact with the family throughout the ongoing proceedings.
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Why was this area not searched sooner?
The authorities do concede that the site was never initially subjected to investigation.
Much of the police work had hitherto been focused on bushland west of Port Lincoln and also near the couple’s units.
The newly identified site lies several kilometres to the east, enclosing thick bushland and animal trails. “It is not one of the places we ever had cause to go to,” Fielke said. “We focused on places linked by evidence.”
Nevertheless, the discovery has revitalised investigations in the surrounding scrubland. Being a bit farther out, the police have expanded their rip search zone and have called forensic resources into their service.
Investigators now believe the killer may have moved remains for reasons to delay the identification or disrupt detection. Fielke further added, “That is just one line of inquiry we are actively pursuing.”
Fielke: ‘We followed available intel’ — skull find was unforeseen, says SA Police
Investigation remains active and ongoing
At a recent breakthrough, the Police in South Australia have maintained that much work still must be done with the investigation. Evidence-gathering, witness interviews, and a complete set of forensic results are all pending. The crime scene, meanwhile, has been cordoned off while locals have been requested not to go into the vicinity. In the next few days, further excavations and drone sweeps are planned.
There will also be a further re-interview of Tamika Chesser, pending the lifting of certain legal constraints. There has been no statement from the defence team regarding the discovery of the skull.
The legal procedure falls within the supervision of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. With the court due again later this year, trial proceedings are expected to begin in 2026.
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What happens next?
Forensic scientists will analyse the skull to confirm its identity as that of Julian Story.
If established, it would conclude the recovery, thereby giving closure to the family and investigators. Simultaneously, the police would be pursuing digital, physical, and testimonial evidence.
National attention has been given to the case, considering its barbarity and media link with Tamika Chesser. The death of Julian Story saddened Port Lincoln, where the couple had lived down-to-earth lives for years.
The neighbours spoke of them as private yet polite-hearted types, rarely associating or publicly engaging. With one piece of the puzzle yet to be put in place, SA Police continue to pursue justice.
“The investigation will continue until every question is answered,” said Fielke.
