Artist, 36, who murdered her parents then lived alongside their bodies for four years to be sentenced

By StephenRigley

A woman who murdered her parents then lived alongside their bodies for four years while lying about their whereabouts is to be sentenced on Friday.

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Virginia McCullough poisoned her father John McCullough, aged 70 at the time of his death, with prescription medication and fatally stabbed her 71-year-old mother Lois McCullough shortly afterwards, Essex Police said.

The 36-year-old admitted to their murders between June 17 2019 and June 20 2019 at an earlier hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court.

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McCullough had concealed their bodies within the home at Pump Hill in Great Baddow, Essex and continued to live at the address.

To cover her tracks, she told persistent lies about their whereabouts, frequently telling doctors and relatives her parents were unwell, on holiday or away on lengthy trips, Essex Police added.

Her actions were uncovered after her parents' GPs raised concerns over missed appointments and police forced entry to the home on September 15 2023.

In the moments afterwards, she confessed to what she had done, the force added.

A worker at a nearby shop, who asked not to be named, said McCullough had told him her parents had moved to be by the seaside.

"We're all shocked, we didn't think she was capable of this," he said.

Judge Mr Justice Johnson is to sentence McCullough on Friday at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Warning her at an earlier hearing that she faced a life sentence, Judge Christopher Morgan, who presided over the plea hearing, said: "You will understand that there is a single sentence that can be passed upon you in these circumstances.

"Consideration however has to be given to the minimum term."