A woman appeared has in court today charged with plotting the murder of a young graduate whose body was found inside a burning car.
Anna Julia Lagwinowicz, 32, is charged with conspiracy to murder Catherine Wells-Burr, 23, whose remains were discovered beside the A358 near Ilminster, Somerset, last week.
The Polish national spoke only to confirm her name and address during a hearing at Bristol Magistrates Court yesterday.
Lagwinowicz, of South Street, Taunton, spoke through an interpreter and looked gaunt in the dock dressed a dark blue t-shirt and dark trousers.
She was charged with conspiring to murder Catherine Wells-Burr together with others at Ashill, Somerset, from May 1 until September 13 this year.
Kelly Marshall, prosecuting, said 23-year-old Catherine died an “unnatural death” before her body was burned in her red Ford Focus car at 6.10am last Wednesday.
No application for bail was made and Chair of the Bench Jill Yeomans remanded Lagwinowicz in custody to appear at Bristol Crown Court on October 9.
Detectives are still questioning two men, aged 31 and 38, over Catherine’s death.
Officers are still appealing for witnesses and on Sunday urged the driver of a dark people carrier to come forward.
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Crisp said: “Investigations continue into Catherine’s death and we are still working to piece together her life.
“I am particularly keen to appeal to the the driver of a dark coloured people carrier that we were believe was travelling from Ilminster to Taunton, past the scene about 6.10am on Wednesday. We believe the car braked at point of the car fire.
“I would also like to speak to anyone who saw a white transit or smaller van or was in a white transit or smaller van that was parked in the vicinity of the scene.
“My final appeal is to members of the public who saw anyone in the area wearing a high visibility jackets, these people may have information that is significant to this investigation.”
Catherine, who lived in Chard, Somerset, with her mother Jayne, and sister Leanne, achieved a first class degree in Business Management at Bath Spa University.
She went on to work as a business analyst at manufacturing firm Numatic International – best known for their iconic Henry hoovers – in Chard.
On Friday, her devastated family and Polish boyfriend Rafal issued a statement saying they could not understand her brutal death.
They said: “We have lost our beautiful Catherine; she was full of character, she was caring, loving, and had a bubbly personality.
“She had a wonderful sense of humour, and was an amazing, special person.”
