Arabic version: تاميكا تشيسر تدفع ببراءتها من تهم القتل

According to ABC News, Tamika Chesser has pleaded not guilty in the Adelaide Magistrates Court to murdering her partner, Julian Story, and to destroying his remains to pervert the course of justice. The former Beauty and the Geek contestant is accused of murdering Mr Story and dismembering his body.

A lawyer for Ms Chesser told the court that investigations were under way into the 35-year-old’s mental competence. ABC News reported that she has flagged a potential mental health defence. Ms Chesser has been housed at the secure forensic mental health facility James Nash House since her arrest.

Mr Story’s dismembered body was found in the couple’s unit at Port Lincoln, on Eyre Peninsula, in June last year after emergency services responded to reports of a fire. The 39-year-old’s head was found by a member of the public in scrubland east of the town in July and was confirmed to belong to Mr Story in September. Ms Chesser will next appear in the Supreme Court for arraignment later this year.