The teenage man charged with murdering 20-year-old Keeley Bunker is set to face trial next year.
Wesley Streete, of no fixed address, is accused of murdering Ms Bunker on September 19 after her body was found in woodland.
The 20-year-old was pronounced dead at about 9pm that evening after paramedics were called to the scene in Tamworth, near Birmingham.
Streete did not enter a formal plea during a 15-minute hearing at Stafford Crown Court on Wednesday, speaking only to confirm his name, date of birth and nationality as British.
The defendant, whose barrister made no application for bail, was remanded in custody until a further hearing on December 16, when he will be asked to confirm his plea.
A subsequent trial, lasting up to three weeks, has been listed to start on March 16 2020, judge Michael Chambers QC added.
Ms Bunker's family described the 20-year-old "one of the most vibrant, caring and beautiful souls this earth has ever seen."
In the days following her death, they set up a GoFundMe fundraising page to meet the cost of her funeral.
So far more than £11,000 has been raised.
Staffordshire Police said a post-mortem examination had taken place but further tests were needed.
