A 36-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murders of Colin Dunford and Julie Davison.
James Allen is also accused of rape, false imprisonment, assault and witness intimidation.
He was remanded in custody following a brief appearance at Teesside Magistrate's Court.
He will appear at Teesside Crown Court on Thursday.
Mr Dunford, 81, from Middlesbrough, and Ms Davison, 50, from Whitby, North Yorkshire, were found dead at their homes last week, having suffered head injuries.
Allen was arrested in Leeds on Sunday.
