Family's tribute to woman stabbed to death after going on a date

The family of a career woman who was found stabbed to death after going on a date have paid tribute to a "loving, thoughtful" godmother.

The body of sales executive Kate Beagley, 32, was found in a nature reserve near Watford yesterday.

Karl Joseph Taylor, 27, of central London, appeared in court today charged her murder of following their meeting on Wednesday evening.

He appeared at Staines Magistrates' Court where he was remanded in custody until his next appearance at the Old Bailey on September 11.

Tonight Kate's family said in a statement: "Kate was a loving, thoughtful, dependable, loyal and tremendously popular daughter, sister, granddaughter, godmother and friend who was devoted to her family and friends.

"She was great fun to be with and had an uncanny way of always making those around her laugh, and was never happier than when spending time with family, friends and her godchildren. "Kate was well travelled with a great sense of adventure, starting out at an early age with family trips abroad.

"She was really looking forward to the two birthday trips that she had planned with friends, camping in Torquay and a city break in Barcelona.

"She always took a pride in her appearance, she was also an enthusiastic gym member enjoying cycling, running and yoga.

"Kate loved a wide variety of both music and literature. After gaining her tourism and leisure degree at university she started work with British Gas (now Centrica), reaching a managerial position at national level. "Kate will be missed by everyone that knew her everyday and in every way."

During his court hearing, and wearing tracksuit bottoms and a blue T-shirt, football coach Taylor sat with his head bowed for most of the short hearing.

Miss Beagley was reported missing by her father on Thursday after she failed to turn up for work and missed appointments.

Prosecutor Nicholas Wilson told the court how Taylor was charged with murdering Miss Beagley, from Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, sometime between May 29 and June 5 this year.

Mr Wilson said she had been stabbed to death sometime between those dates on Richmond Hill, London.

A body, understood to be that of the 32-year-old, was found by police at a nature reserve in the early hours of Monday morning.

The body has not yet been formally identified but police expect that to take place today.

Forensic teams are continuing to scour the scene at Oxhey Woods, near Watford in Hertfordshire, where the body was found.

Miss Beagley was last seen by her father on Wednesday, shortly before she was due to go out with a man she had met the previous week in the CC nightclub in London's Trocadero.

Concerned friends posted emotional tributes on the social networking website Facebook after the body was found. Earlier they had been using the site to try to trace their missing friend.