Amanda Champion was found dead in Ashford on 26 July

James Phillip Ford spoke only to confirm his name, age and address at the hearing before magistrates in Canterbury.

The factory worker, from Hunter Avenue in Willesborough in the Ashford area, had been arrested at 0630 BST on Friday and was then charged about 12 hours later.

Miss Champion, 21, was found dead on land off Mead Road in Ashford on the night of 26 July.

She had been reported missing 11 days earlier and had not been at work for more than three weeks.

Her funeral was not held until 23 September and detectives have at no stage released information about how she died.

Mr Ford was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday.