A GP was allegedly beaten and strangled to death by her husband while hosting a children’s sleepover, a court has heard.
Mark Cain, 45, appeared before Norwich Magistrates’ Court this morning charged with murdering his wife, 45-year-old GP Hannah Cain, who is reported to have treated members of the Royal Family.
Ms Cain was discovered dead at the couple’s home in Dersingham, Norfolk, during the early hours of Sunday. Children were reportedly staying at the property for a sleepover at the time.
Wearing a black jumper, Cain spoke only to confirm his identity during the five-minute hearing. He showed no visible emotion in court.
District Judge Matthew Bone formally told him he faced a murder charge.
Prosecutor Jacqui Hanlon said the ambulance service alerted police at 2.25am on Sunday after receiving a report that a 45-year-old man had suffered a stab wound in what was believed to be a robbery.
“Hannah Cain was found in an upstairs bedroom not breathing and not conscious,” Ms Hanlon told the court.
“A preliminary post-mortem noted blunt force injury to the side of the head had been inflicted.
“Also an injury which could be suggested was compression of the neck. There were children in the house at the time.”
Mark Cain (right, pictured with two of the couple’s children) appeared in court this morning charged with murdering his wife, Hannah Cain (left)
Ms Cain, a GP who reportedly treated members of the Royal Family, was found dead at her home near the Sandringham estate in the early hours of Sunday
Forensic officers were seen outside the Dersingham, Norfolk, property on Monday
A preliminary hearing is due to take place at King’s Lynn Crown Court tomorrow. The judge told Cain: “I am sending your case to King’s Lynn Crown Court.
“In the meantime, I remand you in custody. I have no power to grant you bail.”
The Crown Prosecution Service authorised the charge on Tuesday evening, after Cain was arrested in connection with his wife’s death.
Ms Cain worked as a GP and is understood to have provided medical care to members of the Royal Family, including senior figures such as Queen Camilla, according to reports.
The King and Queen are said to have been informed of her death.
The surgery in nearby Grimston where Ms Cain worked was closed on Monday. Colleagues said the decision followed “extremely difficult circumstances affecting our practice team”.
Professionally known as Dr Hannah Terry, Ms Cain also worked for the cosmetic treatments company Norfolk Sky Aesthetics.
A spokesperson for the surgery wrote on social media: “We are sorry to let patients know that Grimston Medical Centre, including the dispensary, is temporarily closed due to extremely difficult circumstances affecting our practice team.
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‘We apologise for the disruption and appreciate your patience and understanding at what is a very difficult time for our colleagues.’
Bouquets and tributes were left at the scene in the hours after Ms Cain’s death as forensics teams and police officers began their probe.
Villagers described the area as a normally peaceful spot and said they had been shocked by the tragedy.
One, who described how Ms Cain had lived in the area for around ten years, said: ‘She was just a lovely human being with three gorgeous young children.’
A neighbour in his 90s added: ‘I very rarely saw them. The children were lovely, two boys and a younger girl.
‘They used to kick their football into my garden and I’d throw it back to them, or they’d come and ask me if they could come in and look for it.’
Ms Cain is said to have been hosting a sleepover at her home on the night she died
Another man who has lived in the area for half a century said there was little crime there.
‘Dersingham might not have a centre but it’s got a heart,’ he said.
Another resident said: ‘It’s the sort of place where if you forget to lock your car and leave it out all night nothing will happen to it.’
One mourner, meanwhile, posted on Facebook: ‘Fly high and sleep well Dr Terry. You never deserved this to happen, heaven has gained an angel.
‘You were a lovely doctor who listened to us and helped us. Thinking of you and your family and your children and friends.’
A statement released by Norfolk Police on Tuesday read: ‘A man has been charged with murder following the death of a woman in Dersingham.
‘He was arrested after a woman’s body was found at an address in Fern Hill in the early hours of Sunday 4 October 2026.
‘Subject to confirmation at formal inquest proceedings the woman has been identified as 45-year-old Hannah Cain.
‘A Home Office post-mortem examination took place yesterday – the outcome of which is that the cause of death is pending further investigation.
‘This afternoon 45-year-old Mark Cain, of Fern Hill, Dersingham was charged with Hannah’s murder.
‘He has been remanded in custody to appear before Norwich Magistrates’ Court tomorrow morning.
‘Specialist officers are continuing to support Hannah’s family, who have asked for privacy at this difficult time.’
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