Man, 29, appears in court accused of murdering 'treasured' 23-year-old HR advisor who was found dead in country lane
A 29-year-old man has today appeared in court charged with the murder of a HR advisor whose body was found dumped in hedgerow two days after she went missing.
Ross McCullam is accused of killing 23-year-old vicar's grandaughter Megan Newborough, whose body was discovered on a country road near Woodhouse Eaves, Leicestershire, in the early hours of Sunday.
Ms Newborough, from Nuneaton, who worked at Leicester-based building materials company Ibstock PLC, was initially reported missing to Warwickshire Police and an investigation by their officers led them to Leicestershire.
Wearing a grey sweatshirt and grey jogging bottoms at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, McCullam spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address during a brief hearing.
Megan’s parents, Anthony, 53, an accounts manager and Elaine, 50, attended the hearing along with their older daughter Claire.
Megan Newborough , from Nuneaton, who worked as a HR Advisor at Leicester-based building materials company Ibstock PLC, was initially reported missing to Warwickshire Police and an investigation by their officers led them to Leicestershire
It is understood they raised the alarm on Saturday afternoon after they were unable to contact Megan.
Locals near the former mining village of Whitwick, Leicestershire say the family from Nuneaton, 25 miles away, used software technology to trace Megan’s phone to a hedgerow.
Her body was discovered in the early hours of Sunday morning in a rural lane outside the village of Woodhouse Eaves, six miles from where her mobile was found.
Megan was killed six days before she would have celebrated her 24th birthday.
The defendant, from Coalville, Leicestershire, was not required to enter any pleas and was remanded into custody to appear at the city's crown court on Wednesday afternoon.
After her death, Ms Newborough's family said: 'There are no words to describe how much we as a family are completely heartbroken and devastated.
'Megan was the most generous, loving and caring person and we have been robbed of our treasured daughter.'
Stuart Noss, headteacher of Megan's sixth form school King Edward College Nuneaton, told MailOnline: 'The college community is devastated to hear the news of Megan and our thoughts are with her family and friends.
Ross McCullam is accused of killing 23-year-old Ms Newborough, whose body was discovered on a country road near Woodhouse Eaves, Leicestershire, in the early hours of Sunday
'Megan was a well-respected, conscientious student whilst studying for her A Levels and had gone on to do incredibly well in her career.
'It is truly a tragedy that Megan has been taken before her time. We respectfully ask that the local community and those who knew Megan are given the time and space to grieve in private.'
A spokesman for Megan's former employer, Triton Showers, said: 'We remember Megan as a confident, kind, sincere, and gentle person.
'Her infectious smile lit up the room and she always made time for everybody no matter what, age, race, gender, or social background and will be sorely missed by all at Triton. Our thoughts go out to Megan’s family at this difficult time.'
Phil Kelly, headteacher at Megan's secondary school Higham Lane School said the community was 'deeply saddened' by the death of a 'kind and warm student'.
He added: 'The Higham Lane School community is deeply shocked and saddened by the news of Megan’s tragic death.
'Megan was such a kind and warm student, just a pleasure to have in the school, highly-regarded by staff and her fellow students alike.
'She was one of those special people who had this innate ability to exude warmth and positivity.
'She was extremely conscientious and achieved very well in her GCSEs, enabling her to go on to study A levels at a local sixth form college. Megan also had a real passion for dance and drama.
'Megan’s family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers at this very sad time.'