Danny Zayat, 28, is accused of 18 domestic violence offences against Tatiana Dokhotaru before she was found dead in her Liverpool apartment on May 27, 2023.
He appeared in Liverpool Local Court on Friday where his bid for bail was rejected and prosecutors flagged more serious charges being brought.
Zayat was supported in court by family members, including his mother, friends and neighbours who teared up as he appeared over video link from jail.
As the bail hearing went on, Zayat's family were heard muttering under their breath and swore at Ms Dokhotaru's friend Tendayi Chivunga as she pushed past them in tears to leave the court.
"As I was walking out of the court distraught and crying, Danny's family were calling me horrible names," she told reporters outside.
After bail was denied, Ms Chivunga said she found herself trapped in an interview room in the courthouse as Zayat's family went "wild" outside the door before sheriffs escorted them out of the building.
"I was terrified. If that's what Tatiana had to encounter, if that's the kind of family they are, no one should have to go through that," she said.
Zayat was arrested in the Liverpool unit block after being found with Ms Dokhotaru's body.
On Friday, the police prosecutor told the magistrate he expected more serious charges to be laid against Zayat after the homicide squad had been called in.
"The police are awaiting on forensic results to be returned. It is expected that further charges will be pursued following that," he said.
He opposed bail, saying there was a risk that the 28-year-old would not appear in court, he would pose a risk to the community and he would interfere with witnesses, including four individuals who will give evidence about the alleged domestic assaults.
A charge of choking will also be upgraded to a carry a maximum penalty of 10 years as Ms Dokhotaru lost consciousness, suffering bruising which lasted three weeks and bleeding tonsils, he said.
She is alleged to have sent photographs and videos of her injuries to friends and family.
Defence barrister Talal Krayem said his client should be granted bail, arguing the prosecution case was weak because the alleged victim was "unavailable".
"The prosecution has difficulty in terms of calling witnesses. The potential complainant, Your Honour, is unavailable to give evidence against Mr Zayat," he said.
Mr Krayem said his client, who owned his own concreting business, would be pleading not guilty to the offences.
He said "onerous" bail conditions, including putting him on house arrest at his parents' home would ameliorate any concerns the prosecution had.
The magistrate denied bail, finding there was a "strong" case against Zayat, including CCTV footage showing him entering and leaving Ms Dokhotaru's apartment around the time she was found dead.
A triple-zero call was made to the police on Friday May 26.
However, no name or unit number was given, and it took police 20 hours to find which apartment Ms Dokhotaru was in. By that time, she was dead.
Outside court, Ms Chivunga described her friend as beautiful, kind and compassionate.
Speaking on behalf of Ms Dokhotaru's family, the lawyer said their faith in the justice system had been restored after Zayat was denied bail.
"He's not out, he's not walking out streets, and certainly he can't threaten, intimidate, stalk or harass any witnesses," she said.
A vigil for Ms Dokhotaru will be held at the Bondi Beach Pavilion at 5.30pm this Sunday.
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