Daughter, 36, poisoned her father with prescription medication and stabbed her mother to death before lying to her relatives about their whereabouts - and continuing to live in home where she hid their bodies

An artist wept in court today as she admitted murdering her parents five years ago.

Virginia McCullough, 36, killed John, 74, and Lois, 75, at their home in Chelmsford, Essex, between June 17 and June 20, 2019.

After killing them, McCullough concealed their bodies in the house continued to live there until she was arrested last September.

To cover her tracks, she repeatedly lied about their whereabouts, telling doctors and relatives her parents were unwell or were away on lengthy holidays.

McCullough was arrested on September 13 last year after her parents' bodies were found in a top-floor bedroom at their three-storey house in Pump Hill.

An inquest opening has heard Lois died from 'stab wounds to the chest' while John's cause of death was 'pending further investigation'.

Mr McCullough, a former lecturer at Chelmsford College of Further Education, and Lois are believed to have had four daughters, with Virginia being the youngest.

Virginia McCullough, 36, killed her parents John, 74, (right) and Lois, 75, (left) at their home in Chelmsford, Essex, between June 17 and June 20, 2019

McCullough (pictured in court) was arrested on September 13 last year after her parents' bodies were found in a top-floor bedroom at their three-storey house in Pump Hill 

Pictured: Police work the scene at a home in Chelmsford, Essex on September 18 this year

McCullough admitted murdering John and Lois McCullough when she appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court today.

She appeared in court via video link from HMP Peterborough wearing a purple top and necklace with long blonde hair.

McCullough rubbed tears form her eyes as Judge Christopher Morgan told her: 'You will understand there is a single sentence that can be passed upon you in these circumstances.

An inquest opening has heard Lois died from 'stab wounds to the chest' while John's cause of death was 'pending further investigation'. Pictured: Police and forensics at the scene 

Mr McCullough, a former lecturer at Chelmsford College of Further Education, and Lois are believed to have had four daughters, with Virginia being the youngest 

Essex Police said it began an investigation after receiving reports of concern for the well-being of the two people aged in their 70s

In a statement issued through Essex Police, the family of John McCullough and Lois McCullough earlier said: 'We are deeply shocked by their deaths and ask for privacy at this difficult time.' Pictured: Police at the scene 

'What must be determined is the minimum term.

'You will remain in custody.'

She will face a two-day sentencing hearing on 10 and 11 October.

In a statement issued through Essex Police, the family of John McCullough and Lois McCullough earlier said: 'We are deeply shocked by their deaths and ask for privacy at this difficult time.'

A forensics team steps underneath police tape cordoning off the scene of the double murder 

The 37-year-old artist will face a two-day sentencing hearing on 10 and 11 October. Pictured: A policeman at the scene of the murders

Police had attended the end-of-terrace house on 18 August 2018, after McCullough alleged she was assaulted in her back garden.

A female officer had interviewed McCullough in a first-floor living room - unaware of the bodies upstairs.

A review has been carried out by Essex Police over the prior contact with Ms McCullough and concluded the female officer did not do anything wrong.

An Essex Police spokesman said: 'We have not made a referral to the IOPC in relation to this case, as it does not fit the criteria for either a mandatory or voluntary referral.'