BBC star John Hunt says ‘make the most of every day’ after his wife & daughters were killed in crossbow attack
BBC RACING commentator John Hunt has spoken out after a crossbow attack saw his wife and two daughters killed.
He has urged people to “make the most of every day” after the incident at his home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, last Tuesday, his friend and fellow commentator Matt Chapman has said.
Carol Hunt, 61, and the couple’s daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28, were allegedly tied up before being shot dead with a crossbow.
Cops on Thursday captured Kyle Clifford at a cemetery in Enfield, North London, following a major manhunt after the horror, and he was formally arrested the next day on suspicion of the triple murder.
Former soldier Clifford and dog groomer Louise were previously in a relationship.
“He told me: ‘Matty, the message I would tell everyone is you never know when it’s going to be the last day you see your family’,” ITV commentator Mr Chapman said.
“The message was very clear: make the most of every day because you just don’t know.”
He added: “Family means more to some than others and for John, his family unit was something he absolutely adored.”
Clifford, 26, from Enfield, north London, remains injured in hospital, Hertfordshire Police said.
He was rushed to a major trauma centre with suspected self-inflicted injuries after the manhunt last week.
More than £28,000 has been collected in a fundraiser.
Mr Chapman said John’s “biggest desire” was to ensure surviving daughter Amy has “no money worries for the rest of her life”.
He added that it’s “not going to take their grief away” but that it “might help them have an easier life”.
John, 58, and Amy, who lives in Birmingham, previously released a statement in which they told of their “devastation”.
Grieving after losing three of their closest family members, the pair said: “The devastation that we are experiencing cannot be put into words.
“We would like to thank people for their kind messages and for the support we have received in recent days.
“These have provided great comfort to us for which we are very grateful.
“As you can imagine, this is an extremely difficult time for us, and we need time and space to come to terms with what has happened and start the grieving process.
The devastation that we are experiencing cannot be put into words.
John & Amy Hunt
“While this is happening, we would ask that our privacy and that of our wider family and relations be respected at this time. Thank you.”
Detective Superintendent Rob Hall, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said after the arrest: “Our thoughts remain with the victims’ family at this tragic time.
“The investigation is moving at pace and as a result, we have now arrested a man. Enquiries are continuing at this time.”
The horror unfolded at around 7pm last Tuesday as neighbours heard disturbing screams on the quiet residential street.
It is understood one of the victims managed to bravely ring police, while another sent a desperate last text to her partner urging them to dial 999.
Although some reports claimed the horrific scene was discovered by John, it is understood the BBC commentator was informed of the tragedy as he returned from work at Lingfield Park.
Armed police swooped on the street where the bodies of the three women were found inside the suburban home.
A manhunt was launched for Clifford, with footage showing a man striding away from the scene clutching a large weapon.
Hertfordshire Police took the unusual step of naming and picturing him as the search for the alleged killer widened.
They confirmed the suspect, who served in the Queen’s Dragoon Guards, could have still been armed and issued a do not approach warning.
During the hunt, Clifford’s home in Enfield was raided and some schools nearby were put in lockdown.
