A woman has appeared in court accused of murdering her husband following the discovery of human remains at their home.

Maureen Rickards was arrested on Thursday by police investigating the disappearance of Jeremy Rickards, who had not been seen by his family for weeks.

The search for the 65-year-old had come to a tragic end earlier the same day after remains believed to be his were found at a terraced house in St Martin’s Road, Canterbury.

His wife, who lives at the address, was later charged with murder and appeared before Margate Magistrates’ Court this morning.

While police say efforts to formally identify the deceased continue, Mr Rickards has been named as the victim in official charge details provided to the court.

His family have also been informed about the discovery of the remains.

Mr Rickards had been reported missing on Friday, July 5, with his family telling police they had not seen him since the start of June.

His wife is alleged to have murdered him between June 7 and July 11 – the day the remains were discovered at their city centre house.

She appeared in the dock for a brief hearing this morning, but no further details about the alleged crime were revealed.

Prosecutor Neil Sweeney told magistrates the case had to be sent to the crown court because the charge is so serious, with Rickards set to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday.

He told the bench her case may then be sent to Canterbury Crown Court, but a decision on where any trial would take place would be made at the next hearing.

Rickards, who was wearing a grey tracksuit, was led back down to the cells after being told she would be remanded in custody until her crown court appearance.

The murder investigation is being carried out by detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.

Pictures taken at the scene on Friday showed three houses cordoned off with police tape, including number 32 – the address given in court by the defendant.

Residents have reacted to their street, which is home to many families and students, being turned into a crime scene, with a large presence of police and forensics officers.

One neighbour, 21-year-old university student Katie Dolbear, told KentOnline: “It was a complete shock. We didn’t know what was going on. We just saw loads of vans pull up.

“It was quite worrying. We were a bit scared and concerned about what was going on. We double-locked the doors.

“It’s not something you expect to have on this road, especially. There’s lots of families on this road and students.”

Another student who lives in St Martin’s Road, 21-year-old Matthew Carney, said: “It’s a pretty shocking piece of news to hear.

“I wouldn’t have thought it would have been happening a few doors down from your doorstep.”