Human remains found after woman charged with murdering her parents in Essex

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Virginia McCullough appearing at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court, Essex, charged with the murders of her parents, John McCullough and Lois McCullough She was accompanied by a custody officer as she stood in the courtroom’s secure dock. “Although formal identification is yet to take place, Essex Police believe these to be the remains of John McCullough and Lois McCullough, both aged in their 70s. “This policing presence is expected to continue for the coming days.” Earlier on Monday, an Essex Police spokesman confirmed that on Wednesday 13 September, the force “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 spokesperson added. “The Crown Prosecution Service is in agreement with this assessment.” open image in gallery Essex police believe the deaths are an isolated incident The force said it had been authorised by the CPS to charge McCullough with two counts of murder.