Daughter sentenced for murdering parents in Chelmsford, Essex
- Virginia McCullough, 36, admitted to murdering her parents in June 2019 due to financial issues and fear of exposure for fraud.
- She concealed their bodies in her home for four years while accessing their finances, totaling nearly £170,000.
- The case highlights the shocking betrayal and manipulation by McCullough, leaving her family and community in disbelief.
In Chelmsford, Essex, Virginia McCullough, 36, was sentenced for the murders of her parents, John and Lois McCullough, both in their 70s. The killings occurred between June 17 and June 20, 2019, driven by McCullough's fear of being exposed for credit card fraud she had committed using their identities. After initially attempting to drug her mother, she resorted to violence when her plan failed. McCullough killed her mother with a hammer and a knife, then concealed their bodies in her home for four years while continuing to access their finances, amassing nearly £170,000. The court described her actions as premeditated and manipulative, highlighting the profound betrayal felt by the extended family who could not have anticipated such a crime. McCullough's deceit and the subsequent discovery of the murders shocked the community, raising questions about the psychological state that could lead to such heinous acts.