Victim of Croydon house fire identified as organist Edward 'Ted' Grantham
The victim of a house fire in Sydney's inner west has been identified as Edward "Ted" Grantham, and is being remembered as a passionate organist.
Mr Grantham's body was discovered in his Croydon home on Wednesday morning after a fire tore through the 80-year-old's residence.
Police arrested Christopher Grantham, 50, on a train on the Central Coast.
He was charged with murder, domestic violence-related destruction of property with intent to endanger life and armed robbery.
He was formally refused bail in the Gosford Local Court on Thursday morning.
Mr Grantham has been remembered as a passionate music teacher and organist, playing at services at the Hunter Baillie Church in Annandale.
ABC program Weekend Magazine featured the late Mr Grantham in 1979, showcasing a historic organ that he had shipped from England, and reconstructed in a purpose-built hall in his backyard.
"I think the quality of the sound that comes out of this organ is very good," he told the program at the time.
The music teacher constructed the instrument during a school holiday period with the help of some senior music students at De La Salle College in Ashfield.
The hall, and the seven-metre-tall organ inside, are believed to have been untouched by the fire which claimed the life of its owner.
In the program, Mr Grantham can be seen playing the instrument while his young children play in the backyard.
Speaking outside the court on Thursday morning, Christopher Grantham's lawyer, Elias Tabchouri, said he had limited instruction from his client.
"He's doing his best, as can be expected, considering the situation," Mr Tabchouri said.
He said a decision hasn't been made on whether his client would fight the charges.
"It's still far too early to make those kinds of decisions," Mr Tabchouri said.
"This matter still has to be fully fleshed out and in time we'll deal with it appropriately."
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