Heartbreaking vigil for BBC star John Hunt’s wife and two daughters after they were ‘murdered’ in crossbow killing
HEARTBROKEN loved ones have paid tribute to John Hunt’s wife and two daughters after they died in an alleged crossbow rampage.
Scores of colourful flowers were presented to pay respects to Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Hannah and Louise, 28 and 25, after they were allegedly shot by an ex-soldier in Hertfordshire on Tuesday.
Tributes have been left by the cul-de-sac in Bushey where the three women died, and heartbroken family and friends attended a vigil for the women at the local St James’ Church this morning.
Suspect Kyle Clifford, 26, is in hospital after being found injured during Wednesday’s manhunt for the alleged killer.
Hannah and Louise were the daughters of BBC 5 Live racing commentator John Hunt.
They were killed alongside their mother Carol during the alleged crossbow rampage in Bushey, just after 7pm on Tuesday.
It comes as….
- The manhunt was launched after three women were found “murdered” in a home in Bushey
- The victims are the wife and daughters of a BBC star
- Dramatic video shows armed police raid an Enfield property
- A clip shows the moment Clifford was captured in a cemetery
- Cops are conducting fresh searches at a house in Enfield this morning
A note on a floral tribute, left by a Bushey resident at the scene, reads: “For the three beautiful souls who left us too early.
“Wishing your onward journey be peaceful and full of life.
“To family and friends: I wish you all the strength in the world to come to terms with your tragic loss.”
Another message read: “Rest in peace Carol, Hannah and Louise.”
Local residents were still in shock at what happened on Tuesday night and an extensive cordon still remains in place.
A childhood friend of Carol described her as a “beautiful person”.
Lea Holloway, 60, said she had known Mrs Hunt since she was 16.
Speaking outside St James’ Church on Thursday after a vigil for Mrs Hunt and her daughters, she said: “We grew up together and were pregnant at the same time. This is the stuff nightmares are made of.
“I was there the night she met John (Hunt). It was in a nightclub in Hemel Hempstead. We went out together, went to birthdays and events.
“It’s very difficult. She was the nicest, kindest, sweetest person you could ever meet. A beautiful person.”
She added: “This is the stuff nightmares are made of … I cant imagine what it would be like.”
Su Kehinde, who lives nearby, said they were the “loveliest, gentlest family”, adding: “They were the meekest human beings.
“They did not deserve this. They were beautiful souls.”
Flowers were left at the scene in Ashlyn Close on Thursday, with notes attached to some bouquets with messages such as “rest in peace”.
Clifford was found injured in Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield, north London, on Wednesday and was taken to a major trauma centre for treatment.
Police said no shots had been fired by officers and no arrest had yet been made.
Footage from Sky News appeared to show Clifford being stretchered out of the cemetery by paramedics.
Armed police had earlier been in the area, with an air ambulance nearby.
Neighbours recalled hearing screaming on Tuesday, as the “traumatic” incident unfolded.
In a press conference before Clifford was found, Chief Superintendent Jon Simpson, from Hertfordshire Police, told reporters the killings were believed to have been “targeted”.
During the hunt for Clifford, who is understood to have left the Army in 2022 after a short stint, the force said they believed he may have been armed with a crossbow and warned people not to approach him.
He was believed to have been known to the victims.
Radio 5 Live presenter Mark Chapman paid an emotional tribute at the start of the Euro 2024 pre-match show.
How Clifford's capture unfolded
FORMER soldier Kyle Clifford was captured hiding among the headstones of a cemetery after suffering a serious self-inflicted injury.
Footage showed him being taken away on a stretcher at teatime yesterday and put into an ambulance.
Clifford, 26, was driven to a nearby field where an air ambulance was waiting. It took him to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, East London, which deals with major trauma cases.
The end of the manhunt came in grim fashion in the surroundings of the graveyard close to Clifford’s home in Enfield, North London.
Police had been searching the area after his car was discovered there before going to Lavender Hill Cemetery at 2.30pm yesterday.
A search of the 20-acre Victorian site was carried out before Clifford was eventually found hiding around two hours later.
A police helicopter swirled above with a heat-seeking infra-red camera on board to detect suspects.
And a City of London Police armed incident unit was parked outside as the graveyard became the focus of the search.
Clips shared with The Sun show a string of armed officers looking between the headstones for Clifford.
Clifford was eventually found hiding in a quiet area of the site.
Police said no shots were fired and that he was receiving medical treatment “having been found with injuries”.
Speaking through tears, he said: “This has been a heart-breaking day.
“John Hunt is our colleague and our friend, not just to the current 5 Live sport team but to all of those who have worked here with him over the past 20 years and also to all of you who have enjoyed his superb commentaries.
“On behalf of everybody connected to 5 Live sport, our love and thoughts and support are with John and his family.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is urgently considering whether tougher crossbow laws are needed in the wake of the killings.
She will look at the findings of a Home Office review carried out earlier this year.
A Home Office spokeswoman said: “We keep legislation under constant review and a call for evidence was launched earlier this year to look at whether further controls on crossbows should be introduced.
“The Home Secretary will swiftly consider the findings to see if laws need to be tightened further.”
Timeline of events
By Harry Goodwin
Tuesday
- 7pm – Three women found seriously injured at their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire before dying at the scene.
- Evening – Manhunt launched for murder suspect Kyle Clifford, 26, from Enfield in north London.
Wednesday
- Morning – Armed officers hunt Clifford with help from drones and sniffer dogs. They find his abandoned black Seat.
- Afternoon – Victims identified as BBC racing commentator John Hunt’s wife Carol, 61, and daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
- 2pm – Footage shows Clifford fleeing the scene with a 3ft crossbow after the alleged triple murder on Tuesday.
- 6pm – Cops trace Clifford to a cemetery in Enfield and apprehend him without firing any shots. He is taken to hospital with injuries.
- 6.30pm – Hertfordshire Police says murder suspect Clifford is believed to have been known to the three victims.
Today
- Morning – Clifford is receiving medical treatment in hospital. Cops are still appealing for information but are not seeking anyone else
- Cops conducting fresh searches at a property in Enfield
- 11.00am – a vigil is held by a local church for the family