LONDON (AP) – A British woman who murdered her parents and lived with their bodies for four years in a makeshift grave in the family home was sentenced Friday to life in prison and told she would not be eligible for parole for 36 years.
Virginia McCullough, who embezzled her parents' money and did everything she could to cover her tracks by lying to family and friends, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court in southeast England in June 2019. At his previous hearing, he had pleaded guilty to murdering his parents.
Judge Jeremy Johnson told the sentencing hearing that Mr McCullough's actions were a “serious breach of the trust that should exist between a parent and child”.
When Essex Police raided her home in the village of Great Baddow in September last year, Ms McCullough found the bodies of her parents inside and confessed to killing them.
Mr McCullough, 36, admitted to poisoning his father, John McCullough, 70, with crushed prescription drugs and putting them in an alcoholic drink, and the next day he murdered his mother, Lois McCullough, 71, with a hammer. He admitted to hitting and stabbing him, causing fatal injuries.
“I knew this was going to happen at some point,” she said while handcuffed in police body-worn footage released Friday. “I deserve to be punished.”
After McCullough was arrested on suspicion of serial murder, he told a police officer, “Cheer up, at least we caught the bad guy,'' adding, “I know you don't think I'm 100% the bad guy.'' He added.
Body camera footage also shows McCullough at the police station telling officers where the hammer and kitchen knife he used to kill his mother were located.
Prosecutors said McCullough kept her father in a “homemade mausoleum” in a first-floor bedroom and study, a structure “made of stacked masonry blocks.” She also had her mother's body wrapped in a sleeping bag in a dresser on the top floor of the property.
In the years between the murder and his arrest, McCullough racked up large debts on credit cards in his parents' names and continued to draw on his pension. The court heard she canceled family arrangements and frequently informed doctors and relatives that her parents were unwell or away on long trips.
Statements from three of the defendant's anonymous siblings were read out in court by prosecutor Lisa Wilding. One said: “Our parents were totally innocent victims,” while another said: “Virginia always said her mom and dad were fine, and she made up lie after lie about her daily life.” '' he said.
Concerns for the welfare of her parents were raised by a doctor in September 2023, and Essex County Council's safeguarding team referred the concerns to police.
Lois and John McCullagh, Essex Police
Judge Johnson said McCullough had maintained an “elaborate, extensive and persistent web of deception” over months and years, given that she had amassed a large number of prescriptions. He said he believed there was a “substantial degree of both forethought and planning.” He had purchased knives and equipment to crush and separate tablets.
Essex Police said documents found at the address showed the woman was “trying desperately” to keep her parents from finding out about her dire financial situation, while giving “false assurances” about employment and future prospects. ''The situation was described, he said.
Superintendent Rob Kirby said: “She used her intelligence to callously choose to kill her parents, without any thought for them or for those who continue to suffer the loss of their parents.” “The details of this case would shock and horrify even the most experienced homicide detective, let alone any right-thinking member of the public.”
Defense barrister Christine Agnew said Mr McCullough was assuaging his client, saying he understood the damage he had caused his brothers to such an extent that there was “no hope of recovery” and added: “I am happier than I was in prison.” “I'm a human being,” he told the court. Outside. “
