Woman, who murdered parents and lived with their bodies for four years, to spend life behind bars
A 36-year-old woman, convicted of murdering both her parents and living with their bodies for four years, has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Police further revealed that Virginia McCullough continued to collect her parents' pension monies long after they died.
United Kingdom police said McCullough will have to spend at least 36 years in prison before she can be considered for parole.
@skynews Watch the shocking moment double murderer Virginia McCullough admits killing her parents ⬆️ McCullough confessed to police she poisoned her father John, 70, with prescription medication and then stabbed her mother Lois, 71, in the chest shortly afterwards. She killed the pair sometime in June 2019 at their home in Chelmsford, Essex. #Murder #Confession #Trial #Police #Footage #Bodycam
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Essex police began their lengthy investigation in September 2023 after her parents’ doctor raised concerns.
Police said after that, officers visited the home in Great Baddow where they discovered the remains of John and Lois McCullough, believed to have been murdered in 2019.
“Post-mortem examinations revealed both had been poisoned with prescription medication. John died as a result of the poisoning while Lois had been struck with a hammer and fatally stabbed,” police said.
Police said that McCullough went to great lengths to hide the bodies of her parents and worked to keep relatives and friends away from their home.
“She told persistent lies about their whereabouts, cancelling family arrangements and frequently telling doctors and relatives her parents were unwell, on holiday or away on lengthy trips,” police added.
In September 2023, Essex Country Council's safeguarding team contacted Essex Police. The team said a doctor at the couple's registered practice raised concerns about the fact that they failed to collect medication or attend appointments.
“Due to our suspicions, a murder investigation was launched and we used our powers to enter and search the Pump Hill property,” Essex police said in a statement.
“McCullough was the sole occupant and instantly confessed to officers that her parents’ bodies were in the house and that she had killed them.”
Police said McCullough had long manipulated and abused her parents’ good will for financial gain.
“Documents found at the property showed she had run up large debts on credit cards in her parents’ names. After their deaths, she continued to spend their pensions,” police added.
Furthermore, documents discovered by police painted a picture of a woman in deep financial debt, trying by all means to hide it from her parents.
Speaking during court proceedings, Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby said McCullough murdered her parents in cold blood.
“These were the actions of someone who had taken time to plan and carry out the murder of her parents in the interest of self-preservation and personal gain, before living within meters of the bodies of her two victims for a number of years,” Kirby said.
Specialist prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, Nicola Rice, added that it was a disturbing case that left behind a trail of devastation.
In a joint statement, the family thanked the police for their work in securing the arrest and conviction.
“Our family has been left devastated and heartbroken at the deaths of our parents who were taken from us so cruelly. As we try to move forward with our lives, we will remember the happy times we enjoyed with them,” the family said.
“Our mum and dad are forever in our hearts, and are loved and missed beyond any measure. We request privacy as we continue to grieve the loss of our dear parents.”
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