The husband of a GP has appeared in court charged with her murder.

Dr Hannah Cain, 45, was found dead at her home in the village of Dersingham, near the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, on Sunday 4 October.

Mark Cain, 45, of the same address, was arrested and charged with the GP’s murder on Tuesday afternoon, Norfolk police said.

He appeared before Norwich magistrates court on Wednesday, where he was not asked to enter a plea, and was remanded in custody.

Prosecutor Jacqui Hanlon told the court that Hannah Cain was attended by paramedics in the early hours of Sunday and “found in an upstairs bedroom not breathing, not conscious”.

The ambulance service contacted the police at 2:25am, the court was told. Children were present in the property at the time, the prosecutor said.

District judge Matthew Bone said the case would be sent to King’s Lynn crown court, where Mark Cain will appear on Thursday morning.

After the hearing, Hannah Cain’s family described her as a “beloved” mother and daughter, and asked for privacy “at this difficult time”.

In a statement released by Norfolk police on Wednesday, the family said: “We are devastated by the loss of our beautiful Hannah.

“She was kind, generous and loving; a beloved mother, daughter, sister, auntie, daughter-in-law and friend.

“We are incredibly proud of the woman she was and of the great care she took of all her patients, who knew her as Dr Terry.”

Hannah Cain was listed as a member of the practice team at Grimston medical centre. According to the Sun, she served in a pool of doctors who were regularly on call for members of the royal family nearby.

The medical centre announced its temporary closure on Monday. “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,” a Facebook post said.

“We apologise for the disruption and appreciate your patience and understanding at what is a very difficult time for our colleagues.”

Norfolk police said on Tuesday that specialist officers were continuing to support Hannah Cain’s family.