An Aylesbury man accused of murdering his wealthy female business partner has been refused bail by a judge.
Christopher Symons is alleged to have killed 76-year-old Patricia Goodband and buried her body in the five-acre grounds of her £1million house.
The grandmother-of-two was initially reported missing by her daughter, but police later launched a murder investigation into her suspicious disappearance.
Symons, 63, was not in court for the 20-minute bail application hearing on his behalf at Reading Crown Court.
However, Judge John Reddihough declined bail and he remains remanded in custody.
The hearing was held in chambers. Mrs Goodband, who ran a successful building supplies company with Symons, was last seen in mid-December, but was not reported missing until January 9.
Police later found her body near to her house in Woodham, near Waddesdon on January 21.
A post-mortem examination found that she died from head injuries.
Symons, aged 63 years, of Thackeray End, Aylesbury, was charged with her murder.
Council grave digger Robert Taft, 59, of Westcott, is charged with perverting the course of justice.
Both men are due in court to enter a plea on April 22.