Man admits murdering three people - including a mum and her son - in five-day spree

A man has admitted murdering three people - including a mum and her son - during a five-day murder spree.

Anthony Russell, 39, had previously denied murdering Julie Williams, 58, her son David Williams, 32, and Nicole McGregor, 31, in October 2020.

Ms Williams and her son were found dead in separate flats in Coventry - just hours apart - on October 25 and October 26 respectively.

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Ms McGregor, 31, was found dead in woodland near Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, a few days later, the Mirror reports.

Russell, of no fixed abode, had previously admitted the manslaughter of all three victims.

He was due to go on trial at Warwick Crown Court on Monday (February 14) accused of three counts of murder before he changed his pleas to guilty.

Russell is now standing trial accused of a charge of rape, which he denies.

David Williams was last seen on Tuesday, October 20, 2020, and was reported missing to police on October 24.

His mother, Julie Williams, was found dead at her flat just before 11pm on October 25, after concerns were raised for the 58-year-old's welfare.

Around 24 hours later, police revealed the body of David, 32, had been found at a different flat in the same square at around 11.30pm on Monday, October 26.

The body of a woman was then discovered in Leamington Spa at around noon on October 29.

She was later named as Nicole McGregor, while Russell was apprehended by police the following day in Rolleston-on-Dove in Staffordshire, close to the border with Derbyshire.

The defendant was arrested on October 30 after a huge search effort by police.

In the wake of Julie and David's death, relative Jae Williams launched the fundraiser to cover