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LONDON - An American man has appeared in a London court charged with the murder of Hawkes Bay woman Catherine Marlow.
Matthew Fagan, a 31-year-old US citizen unemployed and living in south London, was arrested on Saturday and appeared in Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court today.
He is charged with murdering Ms Marlow, who was found dead at her office on January 13. An autopsy found she was asphyxiated. A police source has told the Herald she was strangled with her own scarf.
Wearing a dark, V-neck jumper over a white T-shirt, Fagan spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.
The court heard Ms Marlow, 28, was found strangled in the bathroom of her south London workplace and police officers found DNA under her fingernails that linked Fagan to the building.
The court also heard he used to work in the same building and marks were found around his neck.
Magistrate Sue Green today remanded Fagan in custody, noting the gravity of the charge and that he could pose a flight risk due to being a non-British national.
Fagan is to appear at London's Central Criminal Court, or Old Bailey, on May 7.
Last night, Ms Marlow's family in New Zealand declined to comment on the latest developments.
A spokeswoman for the family said a statement would be issued later today.
Fagan, whose Gaywood St home is a short Tube journey away from where Ms Marlow's body was found in Lambeth, was the fourth man arrested in connection with the death.
Daniel Martin Kennedy, 38, of Kennington, has already been charged with stealing a credit card belonging to Ms Marlow and been remanded for sentencing.
A 26-year-old man was arrested in South London on January 19 but was released on bail, pending inquiries.
A 28-year-old work colleague of Ms Marlow who called police after discovering her body was also arrested, but later released.
Ms Marlow's body has not yet been returned to New Zealand.
Her brother Brendan and her brother-in-law have flown to Britain after being asked by police to make a television appeal for information about Ms Marlow's death.
About 300 people attended a memorial service for the "strong and vibrant young woman" at Hastings Sacred Heart Church last week.
- AAP / NZHERALD
