She had been hiding her parents' dead bodies in her home for years
Matt Lee Senior Multimedia Journalist
16:31, 11 Oct 2024
A “callous” killer who murdered her own parents after manipulating them for financial gain told police to “cheer up” moments after officers smashed their way into her home. Virginia McCullough, 36, today (Friday, October 11) began a life sentence for the murders of John and Lois McCullough, 71, at their home in Great Baddow.
Brand new footage shows the dramatic moment officers stormed into the blonde-haired killer’s home to arrest her for the murders of her parents. McCullough, who immediately confessed to the taser-wielding cops, will spend at least 36 years behind bars before she can be considered for parole.
Shocking footage released by Essex Police from the time of her arrest in September 2023 captures the moment Virginia was put in handcuffs and told officers to “cheer up” as they had “caught the bad guy”. The artist also coldly requested a set of hair bands from the officers just minutes after she was arrested.
READ MORE: Real-time updates from Virginia McCullough's sentencing
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An investigation was launched in September 2023 after John and Lois’ GP raised concerns. Doctors had not seen the couple for some time and concerns were raised with Essex County Council’s safeguarding team who subsequently contacted the police.
The GP explained John had failed to collect medication and attend scheduled appointments. It was further revealed McCullough frequently cancelled appointments using a range of excuses to explain her father’s absence.
McCullough lied to cops when initially contacted by claiming her parents were travelling and would be returning in October. Due to suspicions a murder probe was launched and the family home was raided on September 12 with Virginia instantly confessing to officers that her parents’ bodies were concealed in the house and that she had killed them.