An 89-year-old woman said to have been raped and murdered in her own home died as a result of "multiple blunt trauma injuries", a court heard.
Dorothy Woolmer's body was discovered in a bedroom at her home in Tottenham, north London, at around 11am on Sunday.
Reece Dempster, 22, appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday charged over her death.
He spoke only to confirm his name, age, his nationality as "English", and that he understood judge Wendy Joseph QC during the 13-minute mention hearing.
Dempster, wearing grey jogging bottoms and a grey T-shirt showing a sleeve tattoo on his right arm, sat with his arms folded as he appeared via video link from Belmarsh prison.
Prosecutor Timothy Cray said the alleged attack happened at some point between the evening of Saturday, August 3 and the following morning.
He confirmed the cause of death as multiple blunt trauma injuries.
Dempster was not asked to enter a plea to any of the charges .
He faces one count each of murder, rape and burglary, and two counts of sexual assault, court documents confirmed.
He was remanded in custody and will appear before the Old Bailey for a plea hearing on October 23.
Any trial will take place from February 3, 2020 and would be expected to last for up to three weeks, the court was told.
There were no relatives present in the public gallery during the hearing.
In a statement released shortly after her death, Ms Woolmer's family said "She was a wonderful, beautiful woman who was full of life.
"She always had something to talk about and was still hands-on with everything she did despite her age.
"She was extremely self-sufficient and would still cook all of her meals herself and get herself up and down her stairs.
"She was a sister, wife, auntie and dear friend to many and will be greatly missed. My family ask for privacy whilst we come to terms with what has happened."
