MURDER victim Karen Brown made a desperate 999 call to police as her friend was stabbed to death in the garden.The phone call, made at about 9pm on Saturday, lasted more than 60 seconds but cut off suddenly.

MURDER victim Karen Brown made a desperate 999 call to police as her friend was stabbed to death in the garden.

The phone call, made at about 9pm on Saturday, lasted more than 60 seconds but cut off suddenly. Response police arrived at the bungalow on the outskirts of Norwich in less than 12 minutes but both 39-year-old Miss Brown and 65-year-old Ken Snell were dead.

Mr Snell's body was found in the garden of his home in Brettingham Avenue, Cringleford, while Miss Brown, from Aslacton, near Norwich, was discovered inside the house. The precise relationship between the two victims has not yet been established, although friends and neighbours believe they may have recently begun a relationship.

A post-mortem examination has confirmed that both died of stab wounds and a knife recovered from the house has been sent away for analysis. As well as carrying out tests inside the property, crime scene specialists set up a forensic tent in the garden.

Miss Brown's ex-partner John Moody, 44, appeared before Norwich Magistrates' Court yesterday charged with two counts of murder after being arrested on Sunday morning.

Father-of-two Moody, of Kerrison Avenue, Norwich, wore a scruffy sweatshirt and he did not speak during the hearing, appearing confused and dishevelled throughout. Guards were required to help him to and from his seat in the court dock.

He entered no plea during the one-minute hearing. There was no application for bail and he was remanded to Norwich prison. He will appear before Norwich Crown Court in two weeks.

Last night the family of Miss Brown issued a statement paying tribute to a “great daughter and a great friend”. It is understood she had returned to live with her parents after her relationship with Moody ended last year.

The statement read: “Karen was always full of life. She had a spark and always lit the place up. Everyone always felt better for seeing her.

“Karen always had a smile on her face and would always bring a smile to others. She loved animals and had a passion for cookery.

“She was a loving and generous auntie, a much loved sister to Adam and Simon and daughter to Irene and Peter.”

Friend Nigel Webber said that he had met Miss Brown through Baguette Express, the business she and Moody ran together first in Market Place and then Castle Meadow, Norwich.

He added: “She was always charming and friendly. Despite being busy serving, she always made time to ask about our boys and what we were doing. The world has lost a real lady.”

The family of Mr Snell, who was a golfing friend of Mr Moody, were too distraught to comment yesterday. Ex-wife Lesley Thompson, 57, who now lives in France, said: “The only thing I can say at this time is that Ken was a wonderful father to three wonderful children.

“It's such a very sad thing. It's an extraordinarily difficult time. My children are devastated. Ken was an electrical engineer and had a successful career with Philips and Motorola.”

Mr Snell, was a keen skier and a member of Cringleford Tennis Club and Eaton Golf Club where the flag was flown at half-mast on Monday.