THE grisly discovery was made last month, when the bodies of an elderly couple who had mysteriously disappeared 15 years ago were unearthed in their own backyard.
Now the couple's daughter and her husband have been charged with the couple's murder.
William and Patricia Wycherley, a retired merchant sailor and his wife who would now be aged 100 and 79 years old, vanished from suburban Mansfield in the English Midlands around 1998.
Police began digging in the garden of their semi-detached home after receiving a tip-off about an "incident" at the house at the time of their disappearance.
Susan Edwards, 55, and her husband, Christopher, 57, were arrested at St Pancras International station in London and have been remanded in custody on charges of murder.
Neighbours said after the Wycherleys disappeared, rumours circulated locally and within their extended family the couple had moved to Ireland or to the coast.
In a further twist, some relatives said they continued until as recently as two years ago to receive Christmas cards apparently written and sent by the couple.
Nottinghamshire Police are waiting for forensic tests to confirm the remains are Bill and Pat Wycherley, but detectives say they are confident the skeletons are theirs.
Initial tests reportedly revealed the couple were both shot.
Detectives have appealed for anyone who knew the Wycherleys or who lived nearby to come forward.
"Bones were discovered in a grave in the garden," he said.
"People we have spoken to date have described the Wycherleys as reclusive.
"They kept themselves to themselves and it didn't appear they had many regular friends or associates.
"We want to put together their lifestyles, their movements, and that will hopefully help us explain how they came to be where we recovered them from.
"It appears they vanished.
"We conduct what are known as 'proof of life' inquiries and we can't find any evidence of them being alive. And at the same time we can't find any evidence of them having died.
"Neither William nor Patricia have ever been reported missing."
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