Artist, 36, murdered her elderly parents, in their 70s, and lied to relatives about their whereabouts while continuing to live in the house where she hid their bodies
An artist wept in court today as she confessed to murdering her parents five years ago.
Virginia McCullough, 36, murdered John, 74, and Lois, 75, at their home in Chelmsford, Essex, between June 17 and June 20, 2019.
After killing the bodies, McCullough hid their bodies in the home where she continued to live until her arrest last September.
To cover her tracks, she repeatedly lied about her whereabouts, telling doctors and relatives that her parents were ill or on extended vacation.
McCullough was arrested on September 13 last year after her parents’ bodies were found in a top-floor bedroom of their three-storey home in Pump Hill.
An investigation has opened that Lois died from “stab wounds to the chest,” while John’s cause of death is “pending further investigation.”
Mr McCullough, a former lecturer at Chelmsford College of Further Education, and Lois are said to have had four daughters, Virginia being the youngest.
Virginia McCullough, 36, murdered her parents John, 74, (right) and Lois, 75, (left) at their home in Chelmsford, Essex, between June 17 and 20, 2019.
McCullough (pictured in court) was arrested on September 13 last year after her parents’ bodies were found in a top-floor bedroom of their three-storey home in Pump Hill.
Pictured: Police investigate the scene of the crime at a house in Chelmsford, Essex on September 18 this year
McCullough confessed to the murders of John and Lois McCullough when she appeared in Chelmsford District Court today.
She appeared in court via video link from HMP Peterborough wearing a purple top and necklace, and with long blonde hair.
McCullough wiped tears from her eyes as Judge Christopher Morgan told her: ‘You will understand that there is only one sentence that can be imposed on you in these circumstances.
An inquest has heard that Lois died from ‘stab wounds to the chest’, while John’s cause of death was ‘pending further investigation’. Pictured: Police and forensics at the scene
Mr McCullough, a former lecturer at Chelmsford College of Further Education, and Lois are believed to have had four daughters, Virginia being the youngest.
Essex Police said they had launched an investigation after receiving reports of concerns for the welfare of the two over-70s.
In a statement released by Essex Police, the family of John McCullough and Lois McCullough said earlier: “We are deeply shocked by their deaths and ask for privacy at this difficult time.” Pictured: Police at the scene
‘A minimum term must be established.
“You will remain in custody.”
A two-day hearing on her sentence will take place on October 10 and 11.
In a statement released by Essex Police, the family of John McCullough and Lois McCullough said earlier: “We are deeply shocked by their deaths and ask for your privacy at this difficult time.”
A forensic team walks under the police tape that cordoned off the scene of the double murder
The 37-year-old artist will face a two-day sentencing hearing on October 10 and 11. Pictured: A police officer at the scene of the murders
Police arrived at the corner house on August 18, 2018, after McCullough claimed she had been attacked in her backyard.
A female officer had questioned McCullough in the first-floor living room, unaware that there were bodies upstairs.
Essex Police have conducted an investigation into the previous contact with Ms McCullough and have concluded that the female officer did nothing wrong.
An Essex Police spokesman said: ‘We have not made a referral to the IOPC in this case as it does not meet the criteria for a mandatory or voluntary referral.’