Pauline King, who was in her 80s, died of injuries from a sustained attack at her home in The Avenues in Norwich. She was found on Sunday afternoon.
Alexander Kerry, 23, of Kinghorn Road, Norwich, has been charged with murder and one count of sexual assault.
He will return to Norwich Crown Court for a plea and case management hearing on 22 May.
A man accused of the murder and sexual assault of an elderly woman in Norfolk has been remanded in custody.