By Susannah Butter and Rebecca Lewis
The brother of EastEnders actress Gemma McCluskie appeared in court today accused of murdering the 29-year-old and dumping her headless, limbless body in Regent’s canal.
Tony McCluskie, who lived with Ms McCluskie in a flat on Pelter Street, appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court dressed in a grey long-sleeved top and jeans.
The 35-year-old was remanded in custody and told a bail hearing would take place at the Old Bailey within the next 48 hours.
Chair of the bench Cliff Lynn said a provisional date of March 26 had been set for a preliminary hearing.
Friends and family have spoken out about their shock at Ms McCluskie’sbrutal death.
The star was often seen visiting her other brother, Danny. He lived two minute’s walk away from Ms McCluskie and the murder suspect in Old Ford Square with his girlfriend and baby son.
Gemma, known to her friends as Lolly, also took care of her ill mother, Pauline.
“Gemma used to come visit the baby all the time,” said Danny’s neighbour, Andrew Pattiki, 61. “She was easy-going and liked a laugh.”
Tributes to the 29 year old grew over the weekend as well wishers laid flowers, balloons, teddy bears holding hearts and candles at the site of her torso’s recovery.
One heartfelt message read “Why babes? We never got to go to New York.”
A message from her first love, Rayif read: “Cannot believe what happened to you. I always loved you and will do for the rest of my life. You were my first love.”
Ms McCluskie, 29, who played Kerry Skinner in the BBC soap in 2001,was last seen on Thursday 1 March at an opening ceremony at Royal London Hospital, in Whitechapel.
Friends say her mother is being treated in hospital with a tumour. At the time of Ms McCluskie’s death she had been kept in the dark about her daughter’s disappearance.
Ms McCluskie’s parents are separated; her father is living in Dagenham and does not regularly visit, according to Mr Pattiki.
