A 65-year-old man has been remanded in custody accused of murdering two women, one who was stabbed to death on Valentine’s Day last year and another who went missing.

Carl Cooper, of Broadfield Road near Hither Green, appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court charged with murdering 41-year-old Naomi Hunte and 48-year-old Fiona Holm, who were both known to him.

Ms Hunte was found dead with a stab wound by the Metropolitan Police at an address in Congleton Grove, Woolwich, at just before 8.30pm on February 14 last year.

Cooper was originally arrested on February 18 2022 on suspicion of her murder and bailed pending further inquiries, before being released under investigation.

More than a year later, Ms Holm was reported missing on June 29 having last been seen at an off-licence in Verdant Lane, Bromley, nine days earlier.

Due to the out-of-character nature of her disappearance and the amount of time since she was last seen alive, police are treating it as a murder investigation.

Cooper will appear at the Old Bailey on July 18.

Searches are ongoing to find Ms Holm’s body at addresses and open areas in south-east London.

The families of both women have been updated and the Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed, Scotland Yard said.