Triple murder suspect Kyle Clifford was arrested in hospital today after the crossbow killings of three relatives of a BBC racing commentator.
The 26-year-old was found with injuries in the Hilly Fields area of Enfield, north London, on Wednesday after a manhunt that lasted several hours.
Clifford was taken to hospital for treatment and was arrested today on suspicion of murder. Hertfordshire Police said he remains in a serious condition in hospital.
Carol Hunt, 61, the wife of BBC 5 Live commentator John Hunt, and two of their daughters, Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were found fatally injured at a house in the quiet cul-de-sac Ashlyn Close in Bushey, Hertfordshire, just after 7pm on Tuesday.
Police report that a crossbow was found as part of the investigation.
Officers also confirmed they had received no previous reports after investigating whether there had been any previous contact with Clifford or the victims. It transpired that Louise was the suspect’s ex-partner.
Kyle Clifford, 26, was found with injuries in the Hilly Fields area of Enfield on Wednesday
John Hunt is pictured with his wife Carol, who was murdered along with two of their two daughters
Colleagues and friends of the three victims have paid tribute to the “dear family” since their deaths.
Lea Holloway, 60, a childhood friend of Carol Hunt, described her as a “beautiful person”.
Speaking outside St James’ Church yesterday 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.
Hannah Hunt was killed along with her mother and sister in the Bushey crossbow attack
Louise Hunt (pictured), sister of Hannah Hunt and daughter of Carol and John Hunt, was murdered
“It’s very hard. She was the kindest, gentlest, sweetest person you could ever meet. A beautiful person.”
Mrs Holloway continued: ‘They were a lovely family and (the daughters) were lovely girls. They were just trying to make their way through life 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 that 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.”
Sky News footage shows Clifford being carried out of Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield by paramedics on Wednesday
In a post on Facebook, Hannah Hunt’s colleagues at The Anti-Ageing Clinic in Radlett, Hertfordshire, said they were “deeply saddened and devastated” to learn of the “horrific murder on Tuesday evening of our skin therapist Hannah”.
The post continued: “She was a wonderful therapist and her clients loved her. We send our condolences and prayers to her father, sister and family. She was truly a part of our team. Please bear with us during this terrible time.”
Further searches were carried out yesterday at a house linked to Clifford’s brother, Bradley Clifford, who was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 23 years for the murder of moped passenger Soban Khan in 2018.
According to the Metropolitan Police, Bradley Clifford had his eye on the moped at the time of the murder and then crashed into it. He continued to attack Khan after the crash.
Lea Holloway, 60, a childhood friend of Carol Hunt, described her as a “beautiful person”
Officers were called to the address on Rendlesham Road in Enfield in connection with the deaths.
Police personnel wore gloves and face masks outside the building, which was first searched on Wednesday.
Search officers arrived at the scene and found two computer hard drives and two bags containing documents.
Flowers were left at the scene of the crash in Ashlyn Close yesterday, with some bouquets accompanied by notes reading ‘rest in peace’.
Good friend Lea Holloway (centre) lays flowers at Ashlyn Close in Bushey, Hertfordshire
Clifford was found injured at Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield on Wednesday and was taken to a trauma centre for treatment.
Police said no shots were fired by officers. Earlier, armed police were in the area, with a trauma helicopter nearby.
Sky News footage shows Clifford being carried from the cemetery by paramedics, while another clip shows the suspect being wheeled into the Royal London Hospital.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said it had received a mandatory referral from the Metropolitan Police after Clifford was found by officers with serious injuries in Enfield, but did not consider an investigation was necessary.
Members of the congregation attended a service at St James’s Church in Bushey yesterday
A spokesman said: ‘Based on the evidence provided, there does not appear to have been any physical contact with Mr Clifford when he was seriously injured.
‘We are therefore convinced that the case does not require further investigation and that the case has been returned to the police.’
At a press conference before Clifford was found, Detective Chief Inspector Jon Simpson of Hertfordshire Police told reporters the killings were believed to have been “targeted”.
During the hunt for Clifford, who reportedly left the military after a brief stint in 2022, officers suspected he might have been carrying a crossbow and warned people not to go near him.
A view of the scene on Ashlyn Close in Bushey, Hertfordshire, where the Hunt family lived
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is urgently considering whether tougher laws on crossbows are needed following the killings.
She will study the findings of a Home Office study conducted earlier this year.
Speaking to the BBC during his visit to the NATO summit in Washington DC, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: ‘Let me first say how terrible this incident was. Our condolences and thoughts are of course with all the families and loved ones who have been affected.
‘On crossbows, the Minister of the Interior has announced that she will study the legislation, and she will do so.’