Woman, 35, in court charged with murder of her parents as cops probe Essex home

A WOMAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of her parents - as cops probe an Essex home.

Virginia McCullough, 35, is accused of murdering John and Lois McCullough between August 21 2018 and September 15 this year in Chelmsford.

Cops have not yet found a body - but they believe that the couple, both in their seventies, are "no longer alive";.

McCullough was remanded into custody after a two-minute hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Monday.

She spoke only to confirm her name, date of birth and her address in Pump Hill, Great Baddow, Chelmsford.

She was not asked to enter pleas, and no details were heard by the court.

Accompanied by a custody officer, the defendant wore a grey prison tracksuit as she stood in the secure dock.

McCullough is due to appear before Basildon Crown Court tomorrow for a bail application hearing.

A stretcher on wheels, carrying what is believed to be a body bag, was seen on Sunday afternoon being taken out of her parents’ house where she lived.

Essex Police have not confirmed whether they have recovered any suspected human remains.

John, 74, and his wife Lois, 75, are believed to have had four daughters, with Virginia being the youngest.

Neighbour Phil Sargeant, 67, said: "Ginny grew up in the house and had been back living with her parents for a few years.

"But I had not seen them around for a couple of years or longer."

Another neighbour said: "I had not see Mr or Mrs McCullough for about two-and-a-half or three years.

"I remember asking the daughter where her parents had gone."

Essex Police 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."

Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby 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."