A woman has admitted murdering her elderly parents four years before their remains were discovered.
Virginia McCullough, 36, appeared via video link at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday.
She admitted killing her parents John McCullough, 74, and Lois McCullough, 75, in the summer of 2019.
The court heard the two were murdered at some point between June 17 and June 20 of that year.
McCullough, who wore a grey top, spoke to confirm her name, to enter pleas of guilty to both counts and to say she understood the judge’s comments.
McCullough will be sentenced on October 10 and 11.
Judge Christopher Morgan 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.”
Essex Police said it received reports of concern for the well-being of two people aged in their 70s on Sept 13 last year.
The force said it began an investigation and detectives later found human remains at an address in Pump Hill, Chelmsford.
Michelle Brown, Essex area coroner, said in an inquest last year that Lois McCullough’s provisional cause of death was “stab wounds to the chest”.
She said “human remains believed to be” 74-year-old John McCullough were found at the same location.
His provisional cause of death was “pending further investigation”, Ms Brown said.
Inquests into their deaths were opened and adjourned.
Speaking at the time of McCullough’s arrest, neighbours told The Telegraph they could not remember seeing the parents since before the Covid pandemic.
