Laurens Brand, 47, appeared in court today charged with the murder of Angela Mittal (pictured) at their home in Shinfield, Berkshire
The partner of a lifestyle coach who was stabbed to death on Boxing Day appeared before a Judge today and was remanded in custody.
Laurens Brand, 47, and his partner Angela Mittal, 41, had only just moved into their new build home on the outskirts of Reading, Berkshire.
They allegedly had a massive late Christmas evening row which ended with Ms Mittal being stabbed in the neck and chest.
Partner Mr Brand was arrested at the scene on Parker Close, Shinfield, after the alarm was raised at 5.30am and he was questioned at a police station before being charged with murder.
The couple’s new home was sealed off by detectives and a police forensic tent was erected against the front door of the property as officers gathered evidence.
Mr Brand appeared before District Judge Davinder Lachhar at Reading Magistrates’ Court today and was remanded in custody to appear before a Crown Court judge on February 2.
A post mortem examination by a Home Office pathologist revealed Ms Mittal had died as a result of stab wounds to her neck and chest.
A postmortem on Ms Mittal (pictured) revealed she had died from stab wounds to her neck and chest
A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: ‘Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit, a man has been charged with murder in Shinfield.
‘Officers were called to Parker Close at around 5.40am on Boxing Day. A woman in her 40s was found deceased in the property.
‘A post mortem examination was carried out on the victim yesterday and the cause of death was established as stab wounds to neck and chest. A man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder.
‘Laurens Brand, aged 47 years, of Parker Close, Shinfield, was charged with one count of murder.’
The house was sealed off by police and a team of forensic science specialists were drafted in to gather evidence at the scene on Wednesday.
Ms Mittal had previously shared an emotional post on social media saying that growing old is a ‘privilege denied to many.’
Angela Mittal named herself online as Angela Brand-Mittal using her partner’s name and described herself as married to Laurens Brand, the man who has been charged with her murder and remanded in custody today.
Police cordoned off the scene at the new build house in Berkshire on Boxing Day
The 41-year-old mother said she had been married to Mr Brand for over 12 years, since November 4 2006 and they were based in Reading.
A man at the family home opened the door at their address in Slough with tears in his eyes, shook his head and closed the door to a reporter today.
Later the family released an emotional statement in tribute to her, which said: ‘Angela Mittal, age 41, passed away on Tuesday, December 26. She was born in England, to Bharat and Kamla Mittal.
‘Angela was a kind and generous person who truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures; chatting with friends and family and, most importantly, spending time and playing with her son.
‘Angela had an uncanny ability to reach people in a deep and positive way. Angela lit up the room with a big smile on her face – always putting the needs of others before her. She is survived by her loving parents; her sisters; her brothers-in-law, and her beloved son.’
Ms Mittal was an entrepreneur who worked as a life coach and fitness guru under the brand name FlyandAchieve, which she said she founded in 2014.
On her website page, which she described it as ‘the place where you will be motivated and challenged and given helpful tips on lifestyle and fitness.’
She regularly posted videos detailing her solo workouts and group training with Be Military Fitness in Prospect Park (which she enrolled with in September), weight loss updates, and motivational content to her audience.
In June, Ms Mittal had posted: ‘Never feel bad about getting older. It is a privilege denied to many. And I know I shouldn’t moan and count myself lucky.’
Happy clients of her fitness page described her as a great motivator who encouraged people to live healthier lifestyles.
Cassandra Gleeson said: ‘Totally love Angela, we are both new mums, new to our areas and we both share a love of all things Beachbody. We both really want to inspire others to live healthy lifestyles while also being real and practical.’
Jennifer Fay said: ‘I’m always looking to follow new moms and their journey to health! Angela will give it to you straight while still be nurturing and take time to LISTEN.’
The new mother said she was also CEO of companies called Animis Beauty, 360XTREMFIT and an instructor at Insanity Live ProTeam.
The Dutch native, from Dordrecht, had graduated from Brunel University London in 2001 with an MSc in IT and Management and graduated from Upton Court Grammar School, Slough, in 1993.
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