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Warning: This story contains content some readers may find distressing.
Tamika Chesser, 34, has been charged with the alleged murder of her 39-year-old partner at the couple’s home on the Flinders Highway in Port Lincoln on the state’s Eyre Peninsula.
Chesser was arrested at the scene and was taken to a mental health facility, where she remains.
Police and State Emergency Service (SES) crews searched the Port Lincoln coastline today for the missing remains.
Port Lincoln mayor Diana Mislov spoke on behalf of Story’s family today, as the search entered its eighth day.
“I know he loved his family deeply,” Mislov said.
“I just want the community and for everyone to understand that he was a human being who didn’t deserve this and was much loved, very much loved.”
Mislov said she watched the 39-year-old grow up in the small coastal community and said it was difficult to process the details of the alleged murder.
“The family is distraught, it’s just beyond belief that this could happen to someone,” she said.
“As a parent, I don’t think anyone should have to go through something as horrendous as this.”
Chesser’s family have told 9News that the 34-year-old wasn’t well and only weeks ago pleaded for her to remain in a mental health facility in Port Lincoln but she was checked out.
The local mayor conceded there was not enough support in the region.
“We need more mental health support, we need more psychiatrists, we need more one-on-one support,” Mislov said.
“We don’t need short-term measures to stopgap symptoms, we need really long programs that will help people.”
In the event of an emergency dial Triple Zero (000).