Hans Kristian Rausing, the son of one of the world's richest men, appeared in court Wednesday charged with "preventing the lawful and decent burial" of his wife, Eva, UK media said.

Her body was discovered in an advanced state of decomposition on the floor by a bed in an annex of the couple's central London mansion, the Press Assocation news agency said.

Rausing looked frail as he appeared in the courtroom, the news agency said.

His appearance came a day after he was charged by London police with preventing his wife's lawful and decent burial.

Eva Rausing's body was found last week when police searched the couple's home after her husband was stopped on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and then arrested on drug charges.

Hans Kristian Rausing, 49, is the son of Hans Rausing, who is worth an estimated $10 billion, thanks to the family's connection to Swedish packaging giant Tetra Laval.

A statement released on behalf of his parents by a public relations firm representing the family said they wanted privacy to grieve.

"Hans and Marit Rausing and their families are mourning the death of their son's beloved wife, Eva. Her death, and the details of subsequent events, are a reminder of the distorted reality of drug addiction," the statement said.

"They desperately hope that their dear son, Hans, may find the strength to begin the long and hard journey of detoxification and rehabilitation." read more story http://080ict.com/todaysnews2.html