18 September 2023 , 14:44
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A woman has been charged with the murder of her mum and dad after police believe the couple in their 70s are no longer alive, after not being seen for years.
Virginia McCullough is accused of murdering John McCullough and Lois McCullough in their family home in Chelmsford, Essex between August 21, 2018, and September 15, 2023. A stretcher on wheels carrying - what is believed to be - a body bag was seen being taken out of her parents’ house on Sunday afternoon where she lived.
Neighbours said the married couple had not been seen at their three-storey property for at least two years. McCullough, who was known by neighbours as "Ginny", is believed to work as an artist. Her father John would be aged 74 if alive today, while her mother Lois would have been aged 75. Neighbours said that Mr McCullough was a former lecturer at the Chelmsford College of Further Education. He and his wife are believed to have had four daughters, with Virginia the youngest.
Retired systems engineer Phil Sargeant, 67, said Mr and Mrs McCullough had lived in their three-bedroom house for more than 20 years. He added: “Ginny grew up in the house and had been back living with her parents for a few years. She told me that she used to sell her drawings of horses. Her parents were quiet and kept themselves to themselves. They didn’t really mix at all. If you did see him, he would be scurrying around and looking busy. But I had not seen them around for a couple of years or longer.”
Another neighbour said: “I had not seen Mr or Mrs McCullough for about two and a half or three years. I remember asking the daughter where her parents had gone.” Officers said they initially received “reports of concerns for the welfare of two people aged in their 70s" on Wednesday last week.
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Police at the address in Pump Hill (PA)McCullough appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates Court this morning, but was not asked to enter pleas during the two-minute hearing. The defendant, of Pump Hill, Chelmsford, who wore a grey prison-issue tracksuit and had a blonde bob haircut, spoke only to confirm her personal details. No details of the case were given in court. The 35-year-old was accompanied by a custody officer as she stood in the courtroom's secure dock. McCullough is next due to appear before Basildon Crown Court tomorrow for a bail application hearing.
Essex Police said it launched an investigation after receiving reports of concern for the wellbeing of the two people aged in their 70s. The force said it believed the pair had died. Officers remain at an address in Pump Hill, Chelmsford today, with photographs showing detectives in white overalls going into the property, which has been cornered off with police tape.
Neighbours said the married couple had not been seen at their three-storey property for at least two years (PA)An Essex Police spokesman said: "A woman has been charged with two counts of murder following an investigation by detectives and staff from our serious crime directorate. On Wednesday September 13, we received reports of concerns for the welfare of two people aged in their 70s.
"As a result of the extensive work carried out by a dedicated investigative team, our strong belief based on all the evidence available is that the two people in question are no longer alive. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is in agreement with this assessment." The force said it had been authorised by the CPS to charge McCullough with two counts of murder.
Essex Police said it began an investigation after receiving reports of concern for the well-being of the two people aged in their 70s (PA)Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "Although we have received authorisation to charge Virginia McCullough, this complex and in-depth investigation will be continuing at pace throughout the coming weeks and months. I would also reiterate that our continued belief is that this is an isolated incident and there is no threat to the wider Chelmsford or Essex public.
"Our thoughts today are with the families of everyone involved and I can assure them all avenues of inquiry will be pursued extensively to piece together the circumstances around this matter."