Grief-stricken BBC racing commentator John Hunt urges people to ‘make the most of every day’ with their family after his wife and two daughters were killed in crossbow attack
Grief-stricken BBC commentator John Hunt has urged people to ‘make the most of every day’ with their families after his wife and two daughters were shot dead in a crossbow attack.
Carol Hunt, 61, Hannah Hunt, 28, and Louise Hunt, 25, were fatally injured at their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, last Tuesday.
John’s friend and fellow commentator, Matt Chapman, told the BBC‘For some, family means more than others and for John, his family connection was something he enjoyed immensely.
“He said to me, ‘Matty, the message I would like to give to everyone is that you never know when the last day is going to be when you see your family.’ The message was very clear: make the most of every day, because you just never know.”
Kyle Clifford, 26, has been arrested on suspicion of triple murder, but police have not yet been able to speak to him because he remains in serious condition and suffered self-inflicted injuries.
Carol Hunt, pictured right, was the wife of BBC Radio Five Live racing commentator John Hunt, left
Louise Hunt, pictured, was murdered along with her mother Carol and sister Hannah
Hannah Hunt, pictured, was also murdered at the family home in Bushey, Hertfordshire
Kyle Clifford, pictured right, has been arrested on suspicion of murder
Mr Chapman said the proceeds of a fundraising The money raised after the horrific attack, which has now raised more than £28,000, will go to John’s surviving daughter, Amy.
He said John had said his “greatest wish” was to ensure Amy “would have no more money worries for the rest of her life.”
“There are many people, myself included, who feel powerless and still want to do something,” he said.
‘John would like nothing more for Amy after these terrible events than to have a life that is a little less stressful, because life will never be stress-free again.
“It won’t take away their grief, it won’t take away their pain, and it won’t change anything, but it can make their lives easier.”
John and Amy released a joint statement on Saturday thanking the public for their expressions of support during what they described as “an extremely difficult time for us.”
“The devastation we are experiencing cannot be expressed in words,” they said.
‘We would like to thank the people for their kind messages and for the support we have received over the past few days. These have given us a lot of comfort, for which we are very grateful.
‘As you can imagine, this is an incredibly difficult time for us. We need time and space to process what has happened and to begin the grieving process.
‘While this is happening, we would like to ask that our privacy and that of our wider family and associates is respected at this time. Thank you.’
There has been an outpouring of support for John, who has worked for the BBC for 30 years.
In an interview before the tragedy, the presenter told colleagues how he was looking forward to his beloved wife joining him in Paris, where he was due to cover the Olympic Games next month.
In a further statement read out to Sky Sports Racing viewers by Matt Chapman last weekend, John paid tribute to his “utterly inspiring” surviving daughter.
Photos of the victims were included among the floral tributes left at the scene of the murders
Handwritten condolences were placed on cards by well-wishers
Friends and family members laid flowers at the house where the three women were murdered
He said: ‘Despite the horrific evil that rages through our lives, causing devastation on an unimaginable scale, the counterbalance has been the breathtaking messages of support, some of which can still be read today.
‘Amy, my oldest daughter, has been a huge inspiration with her control and support for me, and I try to emulate that as much as I can.
‘Every message felt so important, like a reassuring hug.
“We know people are worried about us, we will get through this. Sending love to everyone, John.”
Police have launched an urgent manhunt for Clifford after the bodies of the three women were found at a house on Ashlyn Close in Bushey last Tuesday evening.
After a massive manhunt lasting almost 24 hours, police tracked down the suspect, a former soldier, at Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield.
He was found with self-inflicted stab wounds to his chest and underwent life-saving surgery.
Hertfordshire Police have confirmed they are waiting for doctors to give permission to speak to Clifford.
They confirmed that although he has been arrested for the deaths, the usual period for holding a suspect has not yet started.
Detective Chief Inspector Rob Hall, of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Serious Crime Squad, said: ‘Our thoughts are with the families of the victims at this tragic time.
“The investigation is progressing steadily and as a result we have now arrested a man. The investigation is still ongoing at this time.”
Clifford was found with serious injuries at Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield, north London. An armed police officer is pictured patrolling the cemetery on Wednesday
Clifford, 26, was discovered by police near gravestones at Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield
Friends of the Hunt family attended a vigil at St James’ Church in Bushey on Thursday and paid tribute to Mrs Hunt and her daughters.
Lea Holloway, 60, a childhood friend of Carol Hunt, described her as a “beautiful person”.
She said: ‘This is the stuff nightmares are made of. They were a lovely family and (the daughters) were lovely girls.
“They were busy living their lives and their lives were taken too soon. It’s the stuff of nightmares. I feel for their oldest daughter and John (Hunt). I can’t imagine what it would be like.”
After being joined by two other close friends, Dionne Smith, 58, and Abigail Phillips, 58, the trio told reporters, “There were four of us, and now there are only three. It doesn’t seem real. We’re grieving together.”