A woman was dismembered with power tools before her remains were discovered in a park, a court has heard as police are still trying to locate her torso.
Body parts belonging to Sarah Mayhew, 38, were found in Rowdown Fields in New Addington, south London last Tuesday.
A dog walker alerted the police after he saw that his canine had uncovered a human bone.
Arms, legs and a head were then found nearby and identified as belonging to Ms Mayhew by her DNA.
Police are continuing to search for the victim’s torso, the Old Bailey heard today.
A man and a woman have been charged with the murder of Sarah Mayhew, 38, (pictured), whose remains were found in a park in Croydon, south London , on Tuesday April 2
Gemma Saundercock, 48, and Steve Samson, 44, appeared in custody at Bromley Magistrates’ Court today (pictured: the Croydon park where human remains were found)
The pair are accused of killing the 38-year-old and preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body (pictured: the Croydon park where human remains were found)
Samson has also been charged with three counts of making indecent images of a child, in a charge which police say is currently unconnected to the murder case
Ms Mayhew’s body was found shortly after 9am last Tuesday on Rowdown Fields (pictured), where police have been seen combing the park for evidence
Detective Inspector Martin Thorpe, who is leading the investigation, previously said: ‘My thoughts are with Sarah’s family as they deal with this heartbreaking news’
Gemma Watts, 48, and Steven Sansom, 44, were arrested on Saturday and subsequently charged with her murder and preventing her lawful and decent burial.
It is alleged that the couple killed Ms Mayhew at a residential property before her body was dismembered with power tools.
The cause of the victim’s death remains unascertained.
However, an examination of her body found two small vertebrae were broken in her voicebox, bruising to the skull and her head had been shaved.
Ms Mayhew was last seen in Sutton, south-west London, on the evening of March 8.
On Thursday, Sansom and Watts appeared separately at the Old Bailey before Judge Philip Katz KC.
The victim’s family have been informed of the charges and are being supported by specialist officers
The area around the park was searched for evidence by forensic teams
He added: ‘The local community has also offered much support during this time, as officers carried out this vital work, and we are very appreciative of their efforts’
Mr Brittain said: ‘My sincere condolences are with Sarah’s family, and we will continue to support them as the investigation progresses’
On Tuesday, the Met named and pictured Ms Mayhew and revealed they were in contact with her family and supporting them with specially trained family liaison officers
Watts, of Featherbed Lane in New Addington, appeared first by video link from Bronzefield prison followed later by Sansom from Belmarsh jail.
Watts appeared to have a dark bruise around her eye and both defendants spoke only to confirm their identities.
The court heard that both she and Sansom are alleged to have killed Ms Mayhew at the residential property on the night of March 8 before disposing of the body.
He added: ‘No family should have to lose a loved one in such tragic circumstances, and we will continue to provide our support as our investigation progresses’
The cause of Ms Mayhew’s death has not yet been released. Post-mortem examinations began on Sunday
Police sealed off the Croydon park last Tuesday after receiving reports at around 9am that human remains had been found
Prosecutor Tom Little KC: ‘This is quite a significant ongoing investigation in relation to the whereabouts of the entirety of the deceased’s body.
‘The deceased’s body was certainly cut up in parts with used of power tools.’
Judge Katz set a plea hearing for June 27 and a provisional four-week trial from February 17 next year.
The Old Bailey judge remanded the defendants into custody.
Sansom, of Burnell Road, Sutton, south-west London, also faces three separate charges of making indecent images of a child.