Natalie Chadwick, 27, struggled to confirm her name, age and address while in court accused of killing Luke Harden, 37, in Bacup, Lancashire, in the early hours of Saturday.
She was charged with one count of murder along with Bhekisani Matabiswana, 26, a Zimbabwean national known locally as Nick.
Mr Harden was left lying on a pavement and despite the best efforts of paramedics, who gave him CPR in the street, he died at the scene.
A Home Office post-mortem examination took place on Sunday – but his cause of death is still unknown, pending further investigation.
Chadwick and Matabiswana, both from Bacup, only spoke to confirm their details during the five-minute hearing at Blackburn Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
Mr Harden's family and girlfriend were sat in the public gallery, supported by police officers. Members of Chadwick's family sat just yards away.
Chadwick – wearing a grey hoodie and tracksuit bottoms – had to be helped to the cells by security staff as she was led away.
Matabiswana – wearing a blue Lonsdale hoodie – bowed his head.
They are set to appear at Preston Crown Court on Friday.
Mr Harden was found on Newchurch Road in Bacup at 12.35am on Saturday.
Lancashire Police officers on patrol came across paramedics attempting to resuscitate him in the street.
Detectives are still investigating and are now asking for dashcam and doorbell footage of the area on Saturday from between 11:45pm to 12:35am.
They also want to speak to witnesses who were drinking at nearby Rosemount Working Men's Club on Friday night.
The force previously said its thoughts were with Mr Harden's family, who are being supported by specially trained officers and are up to date on the investigation.
In a tribute, his family said: 'There are no words to describe how devastated we all are.
'We wish our Luke could see the outpouring of love from everyone who knows him.
'He is and will always be special to us all, as a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, uncle, boyfriend and friend.
'You will be forever in our hearts and minds, and we are comforted knowing we can shut our eyes and your beautiful face will always be smiling back at us.
'Rest in peace, our gorgeous Luke, until we will meet again.'
Manchester-based Nemesis Model Agency, who Mr Harden had worked with since 2013, also spoke of their 'great sadness' at his 'untimely death'.
A post on Facebook dubbed him 'one of our favourite models', who was 'respected by everyone who worked with him'.
Before Mr Harden was officially named, tributes also poured in on social media from the community, fondly calling him by his nickname 'Duke'.
One said: 'Can't believe the news. You were the life and soul of the party. You had a lot of time for everyone and I had a lot of time for you. Rest in peace Duke.'
Another added: 'Been a tough one to process this morning and still quite hasn't sunk in. Duke would literally light a room up with that smile of his.
'Thinking of all his family and close friends at this sad time.'
Someone else wrote: 'You are a real one, brother. Rest in paradise and save me a seat.'
Mr Harden had also been a staunch supporter of community causes, including suicide prevention charity The Ginger Heart Foundation.
The organisation was created in honour of a young man called Shaun Taylor, who took his own life in 2021.
He helped plan and volunteered as a DJ at an anniversary event in member of Mr Taylor – and the foundation has now paid its respects to him too.
A spokesperson said: 'We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Luke.
'He kept in touch with us regularly and played a huge part in helping to plan our first anniversary event in memory of Shaun.
'Luke brought excitement, creativity, and a real zest for life to everything he did.
'He and a wonderful team of friends dedicated their time and energy to making that event truly special for the whole community.'
The charity added Mr Harden brought 'laughter, love and an unforgettable spirit to the event'.
Rossendale MP Andy MacNae expressed his condolences to Mr Harden's family for the 'tragic death'.
He added: 'This is being treated as an isolated event but a visible police presence has been increased in the area as a precaution.'
The Labour representative urged anyone with information to contact Lancashire Police.
Detective Chief Inspector Bryony Midgley, from the force's major investigations team, has previously said: 'The male suspect in this case is not an asylum seeker, as has been speculated about online.
'I would also ask that people do not guess about the cause of Luke's death and leave that to the medical experts.'
She thanked the community for their help so far and appealed for further information.
Members of the public can report information by calling 101, quoting log number 50 of November 1, or by emailing Lancashire Police.
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