KEY POINTS:
LONDON - A handbag is shaping up to be a key piece of evidence in the case against the man accused of killing New Zealander Catherine Marlow in London.
In London Central Criminal Court today, Matthew Fagan -- who was charged on January 29 of murdering Ms Marlow -- was also charged with one count of burglary.
It was alleged Fagan, ,31, an unemployed United States citizen who was living in South London, stole a handbag and six laptop computers from Ms Marlow's workplace.
The former Hawke's Bay woman's battered and strangled body was found by a colleague in the shower of her South London office on January 13.
Fagan was remanded in custody today until his plea case management hearing at the Old Bailey on June 29.
Police have found DNA linking Fagan to the building where Ms Marlow, a 28-year-old finance manager, was found.
Marks were also found around Fagan's neck.
A 38-year-old man pleaded guilty to the theft of Ms Marlow's credit card in January.
A court official said before the hearing that it was believed the man picked up Ms Marlow's handbag after it was dumped by Fagan.
Fagan reportedly worked at the same office as Ms Marlow about a year before her murder.
Today, Fagan, solidly built and wearing a v-neck jumper over a collared shirt, and thick glasses, only spoke to confirm his name.
For the remainder of the hearing he was motionless, sometimes with his head bowed.
On leaving the court, which had just four people in the gallery, he was clutching a plastic bag with papers wrapped inside.
The prosecution today said investigations into Fagan's background in the US were underway.
A police spokesman said after the hearing that, at this stage, not much was known about where Fagan originally hailed from.
- NZPA
