A 44-year-old man from Darlington has been charged with the murder of a woman found dead by police.
Andrew Bell is accused of killing Leanne Park, also 44, in the town on Wednesday. Durham Police said Ms Park was pronounced dead at an address in Parkgate at about 21:15 BST.
Her family described her as the "best mam, nana, daughter and friend we could wish for".
Mr Bell is due to appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on Monday. A 27-year-old man arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released on bail.
Police said crime scene investigators would continue to work at the scene and a police cordon was "expected to remain in place for some time".