A woman found murdered on her wedding day had been due in court accused of burglary and theft.
Patricia Bardon was charged with stealing a bottle of wine from a Belfast store earlier this year.
But prosecutors formally withdrew the case against her at the city's Magistrates Court on Tuesday due to her death.
Ms Bardon's partner of five years, Paul Stockman, is accused of murdering her on their planned wedding day, which was also her 51st birthday.
The 53-year-old suspect, who lived with the victim at Elm Court in south Belfast, was remanded in custody last week - five days after the body was discovered at their home.
During Stockman's court appearance a detective said both the defendant and Ms Bardon had alcohol problems.
The cause of Ms Bardon's death has yet to be disclosed.
She was due in court on Tuesday for a first appearance on a charge of burglary and theft from a branch of Marks and Spencer in May.
But her lawyer, Shane O'Neill, explained how the case against her could no longer proceed.
"She is deceased. There was a much publicised allegation of murder last week, so she is no longer with us," he said.
A Public Prosecution Service representative replied: "I'm aware of that and the matter can be withdrawn."
© UTV News