The husband of a 30-year-old mother-of-two found dying at her countryside home today held his head in his hands when he appeared in court charged with her murder.
Simone Grainger was discovered by a friend, who then alerted the emergency services, but nothing could be done to save her.
It is unclear whether her children were at home in Calcot, Berkshire, when she died on Saturday afternoon.
Detectives launched a major hunt for her technician husband Steven Grainger and 10 hours later he was arrested several miles away.
Simone was married to technician Steven Grainger, who was arrested hours after her death
Steven Grainger, left, has been arrested on suspicion of murdering wife Simone, right
The 30-year-old’s technician husband of two years, Steven Grainger, was arrested on suspicion of her murder and appeared in court today
And on Wednesday morning, the fair-haired father-of-two spoke softly, only to confirm his name, address and date of birth at Reading Magistrates’ Court.
He was told he would face a Crown Court judge on Thursday.
Bearded Grainger appeared before a District Judge, wearing blue jeans and a blue and cream checked shirt and was told he was charged with the murder of his wife.
District Judge Shoman Khan said: ‘Mr Grainger clearly you face the gravest offence in this case and this matter must be sent to Reading Crown Court and the date of that hearing is tomorrow when you will appear.’
It comes after friends of Mrs Grainger paid tribute to her on Facebook, describing her as ‘full of life’.
Dark-haired Simone was a mother to a son and daughter of primary school age.
In a moving tribute to her, her mother has described the ‘anguish and pain that has ripped through us all at this time’.
A family post reads: ‘We are a family lost in grief on an unprecedented scale.
‘Our angel Simone was a young mother, daughter, sister, cousin, granddaughter, niece and a friend to so many. She was beautiful and kind and put so much into being all those things.
‘Anyone who knew Simone will share our loss and feel the anguish and pain that has ripped through us all at this time.
‘Torn away from us in such tragic terms, our memories are all we are left with.’
‘Over the coming days and weeks, we as a family will somehow learn to rebuild, protect and love the two precious little ones left behind.
‘We miss you so much Simone, your smile and spirit will never leave us.
‘Rest in peace Angel.’
A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said that the murder scene had been sealed off as forensic science experts combed the house for clues to the killing.
Dark-haired Simone was a mother to a son and daughter of primary school age
Friends of Mrs Grainger paid tribute to her on Facebook, describing her as ‘full of life’
Tributes were placed at Mrs Grainger’s house and friends took to Facebook to praise her (below)
Simone Grainger, right, was found by a friend at her home, where she died of head injuries
Yesterday they added: ‘A man has been charged with murder following a Thames Valley Police investigation.
‘Steven Grainger, aged 32 years, of Reading, has been charged with one count of murder.
‘The charge is in connection with an incident which occurred in Windsor Way, Calcot on Saturday.
‘Grainger has been remanded in custody to appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.’
Ambulance staff were called to the cul-de-sac but despite trying to save the woman she died shortly after they arrived.
Tributes were placed outside the house, where the mother-of-two was found dying of head injuries when a friend stopped by
Police arrested Mr Grainger hours after his wife died of head injuries at the property in Berkshire
The police spokesman said: ‘Officers were called at about 3.30pm by the ambulance service after a 30-year-old woman was found at a property in Windsor Way with serious head injuries.
‘Sadly, she was pronounced dead at the scene shortly afterwards and a murder investigation was started.’
Friends of Mr Grainger say he worked as a technician for InstaGroup in Wokingham.
A Home Office pathologist carried out a post mortem examination on Mrs Grainger’s body at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading yesterday to find the exact cause of her death. The results have not yet been revealed.
Police have launched a murder investigation after Simone Grainger died in the arms of paramedics from head injuries
Detective Superintendent Justin Fletcher said: ‘I understand that people in the community will be very concerned about this incident, but I would like to reassure them that we are in the process of carrying out a full investigation, and that we have made an arrest in connection with the incident.
‘People in the area will likely see an increased police presence while officers are at the site.
‘If anyone has any details which could relate to this incident, I would ask that they call 101.’
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