Killer suspect Kyle Clifford in hospital in a ‘severe’ situation

The suspect in a triple crossbow killing is in hospital in a ‘serious’ condition and has not yet spoken to police, officers say.

Kyle Clifford was taken to hospital in London yesterday after becoming the centre of a huge manhunt following the deaths of Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, in Bushey on Tuesday evening.

The family, who are the wife and daughters of BBC racing commentator John Hunt, were found fatally injured in what police have described as a ‘targeted’ attack involving a 3ft-long crossbow and ‘other weapons’.

Clifford, who is the ex-boyfriend of Louise, is believed to have shot himself with the weapon in a cemetery in north London as armed police closed in on him on Wednesday evening.

Police have previously said its officers did not fire their weapons in the operation to catch Clifford, and that it is not looking for anyone else in connection to the triple killing. 

In an update this afternoon Hertfordshire Constabulary, which is the force in charge of the investigation into the killings, said that the former soldier and security guard was still in hospital in a ‘serious condition’. 

It said that officers have recovered a crossbow as part of their investigation, and added that the force had received no previous reports involving Clifford and any members of the Hunt family before the ‘unprecedented attack’. 

It comes as it was revealed:

In its update the force confirmed that Clifford is yet to speak to officers while he continues to receive treatment at a hospital in London.

Detective Superintendent Rob Hall, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: ‘Our thoughts remain with the victims’ family and loved ones at this devastating and indescribable time. They are being supported by specially trained officers.

‘This was an unprecedented attack and we are determined to understand the full circumstances of what happened that evening and the events leading up to it.

‘This investigation, as I’m sure people can imagine, will take time.

‘I’d like to reiterate my sincere thanks to the members of public who contacted us yesterday and helped with our inquiries.

‘We are still appealing for anyone with information in relation to the incident on Tuesday evening in Bushey and activity in Enfield yesterday that could assist us to please contact police directly.’

It came the same day that friends and neighbours of the Hunts wept openly as they paid tribute to the ‘lovely family’ who were ‘taken too soon’ in the shocking incident.

The tight-knit community in the idyllic town has been shocked to its core by their deaths, with devastated locals left mourning the ‘beautiful souls’ and heartrendingly saying: ‘They did not deserve this.’

This morning shell-shocked neighbours attended vigil in memory of the women at their local church, with many unable to hold back the tears at the deeply emotional service.

It comes as it was revealed that the women desperately attempted to get help as they were set upon in their own home by a crossbow-wielding killer, with one calling 999 and another text her partner urging them to get the police.

Police sources say there is evidence the women were being tied up before being shot dead with a 3ft-long crossbow in a ‘targeted attack’ that may have also included ‘other weapons’.

Around 50 people attended a vigil in their memory at a local church this morning, many of whom arrived in tears and were too upset to speak.

One childhood friend of Carol, who attended the vigil, described her as a ‘beautiful person’. 

Lea Holloway, 60, who had known Carol since she was 16, 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: ‘They were a lovely family and (the daughters) were lovely girls.

‘They were making their way through life and their lives have been taken too soon. It’s the thing of nightmares.

‘I feel for their eldest daughter and John (Hunt). I can’t imagine what it would be like.’

Ms Holloway was joined by Dionne Smith, 58, and Abigail Phillips, 58, who said: ‘She was a lovely, lovely person. We can’t believe what happened.

‘We were a four, and now there’s only three. It doesn’t seem real. We are together in grief.’

Inside the church, Father David Stevenson paid tribute to the women, echoing the written tributes left to the family amid the bundles of flowers outside the police cordon.

Today was about ‘supporting the community’, he said before adding that their deaths had made people realise ‘we are just one big family’. 

Sue Kehinde, who lives close to the family’s home in Ashlyn Close, said they were ‘the loveliest, gentlest family’.

She said: ‘They were the meekest human beings. They did not deserve this. They were beautiful souls.’ 

Around the same time, police raided a property on Rendlesham Road in Enfield, with police staff wearing gloves and face masks as they revisited a home which they first searched yesterday.

The house is believed to be linked to Clifford’s brother, Bradley Clifford, who was jailed for life with a minimum term of 23 years for the murder of moped passenger Soban Khan in 2018.

As the community reeled from shock, locals arrived at the Hunt’s family home on Thursday to lay floral tributes. There was still a major police presence on the street, which detectives are still combing in search for vital clues.

One heartfelt note said: ‘For the three beautiful souls that left us too early. Wishing your onward journey is peaceful and full of love. To the family and friends, I wish you all the strength in the world to come to terms with your tragic loss.’

Tributes were paid to Hannah and Louise by their former school Loreto College in St Albans.

It wrote on social media site X: ‘Today we are mourning the loss of two of our ex-students, Hannah & Louise, along with their mother, Carol. 

‘We extend our thoughts & prayers to the family during this most difficult time. 

‘As a Loreto Community, they will always hold a place in our heart. May they rest in peace.’

This afternoon there was a minute’s silence during Ladies Day at Newmarket Racecourse in Suffolk as the world of horse racing paid their respects to the Mr Hunt’s family.

Race commentator Richard Hoiles, who is a close friend on Mr Hunt, paid tribute on ITV’s programming, saying how he would often lovingly talk about his family.

‘There’s plenty of people in the press room – I have no idea of their family,’ he said.

‘But we all felt we knew Carol and the girls, possibly far better than we actually did.

‘It has been a folklore that after our annual shindig at Christmas 20 odd years ago we’d all retired to the local pub and out would come John’s wallet with pictures of the girls at primary school, who he’d share with random bar staff and anyone else who would care to listen.’

He added: ‘In the helter skelter of modern-day life it’s quite easy to lose track of the things that we hold dear, but John never has.

‘I know I hugged my kids tighter last night on leaving for here. Knowing that that simple pleasure has been cruelly snatched away from one of mine, and many in the press room’s, greatest friends.

‘Words just seem hollow and inadequate in such circumstances and all we can try and do is provide some crumb of comfort by trying to exhibit the warmth and respect in which John and his family is held, as will be shown by the many tributes that will be held up and down the country today.’

Neighbours had alerted police to the horrifying attack after hearing the terrified screams of the women in their quiet cul-de-sac just before 7pm on Tuesday.

By the time police arrived at the property the assailant had fled, with officers believed to have contacted Mr Hunt as he returned from working at Lingfield Park course.

Paramedics were unable to save the three victims, who died at the scene.

It wasn’t long before detectives were on the trail of a suspect after a figure was seen darting out of an alleyway directly behind the murder scene.

Clad in black, the man was captured on doorbell footage calmly striding away with what appeared to be a crossbow tucked under his arm hidden beneath a white sheet.

Chillingly, he passed within feet of a female neighbour, who stood alone on her driveway stroking a cat and seemed startled by the sight of the barely concealed weapon at 6.50pm.

Within hours, a national manhunt was under way for former soldier Kyle Clifford, who was named by police in a highly unusual step.

The 26-year-old had previously served in the Queen’s Dragoon Guards for a short time before dropping out having failed to impress superiors, it was said last night.

As they attempted to track him down, police warned the public not to approach the suspect.

As police scoured the area, their attention turned to Clifford’s hometown of Enfield, with officers carrying out raids and locking down primary schools in a bid to catch him.

Bystanders captured the moment police raided a property in Rendlesham Road with officers continuing to search the address today. 

Armed police and paramedics were filmed on Wednesday afternoon running into Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield as the hunt continued for Clifford, a former soldier and security guard.

Later, armed police closed down the cemetery, a five-minute walk from the house linked to the suspect. Up to four black-clad officers – two carrying automatic rifles – stood guard at the cemetery gates, preventing members of the public from entering.

Meanwhile, an ambulance rushed into the cemetery grounds with blue lights flashing and sirens on just after 4.30pm after Clifford seemingly shot himself with the crossbow.

Around 20 minutes later he was stretchered from the scene and taken by ambulance to Royal London Hospital, where he received medical treatment overnight.

Police confirmed no shots had been fired by officers and nobody else was being sought.

A London Ambulance spokesperson said yesterday: ‘Ambulance crews and London’s air ambulance attended an incident in Lavender Hill Cemetery, Enfield, this afternoon. We treated a man at the scene and took him to a major trauma centre.’ 

Colleagues of Hannah took to Facebook to pay tribute to the ‘fantastic therapist’ who was ‘loved’ by her clients.

The Anti-Ageing Clinic  at Radlett wrote on Facebook: ‘It is with deep regret and sadness of the horrific murder on Tuesday night of our skin therapist Hannah.

‘She was a fantastic therapist and clients loved her.

‘We send our condolences and prayers to her Dad, sister and family.’

Neighbours claimed Clifford had been in a relationship with the Hunts’ youngest daughter, Louise, but she split up with him a week ago.

Their parting is said to have left her so shaken that she recently crashed her car into a telegraph pole outside the family home.

Neighbour Glyn Nicholas, 77, said: ‘Louise was a very nice girl. She ran a dog grooming business from the house. I heard that she split from a boyfriend last week and was very upset about it.

‘A friend of Louise’s told me that her car door had caved in because of the crash.’

He added: ‘Carol was a nice, polite and quiet lady. She was at home a lot of the time.

‘They were all very nice, a private family. They all did their own things. Louise started a business a couple of years ago, and it was a thriving business – we all took our dogs there to be groomed.

‘A very close-knit family and they used to love the street. They’d had a lot of work done on their house over the years.’

Mrs Hunt, a mother of three, had recently told friends at her local gym that her youngest daughter was involved in a ‘messy break-up’ with her boyfriend.

One suggested her daughter’s relationship had turned nasty.

A friend said: ‘She said her daughter’s split with her boyfriend was messy. Carol did not go into too much detail, but you could see she was concerned.’

Days before she was killed Louise had shared a post on social media praising ‘women who leave’.

The young dog groomer reposted her final tweet on social media platform X on July 3, which read: ‘I admire women who leave, idgaf if you left after the 1st time or the 12th time I admire s***! 

‘Idgaf if ppl calling you dumb for 11 years but in the 12th year you decided you was done. It takes A LOT of strength to break a tie. It takes ALOT of self love to choose yo self.’ 

The BBC confirmed that Mr Hunt’s wife and two daughters had died and messages of condolence have been posted on social media by figures from the racing world. 

The BBC has called the murders ‘utterly devastating’, adding in a note to staff: ‘Our thoughts are with John and his family at this incredibly difficult time and we will provide him with all the support we can.’

His colleague at Radio 5 Live Mark Chapman opened his coverage of England’s Euro 2024 semi-final by paying a tearful tribute to his friend. 

Speaking with a quivered voice on the radio last night, sports presenter Chapman said: ‘This has been a heartbreaking 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. So, on behalf of everybody connected to 5 Live Sport, our love and thoughts and support are with John and his family.’

Yesterday jockeys at Kempton Park Racecourse wore black armbands as they took part in races as a mark of respect of Mr Hunt. This afternoon there will be a minute’s silence at Newmarket Racecourse in Suffolk in memory of his family.

Julie Harrington, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority, said: ‘The thoughts of everyone at the BHA are with John Hunt, his family and friends. It is impossible to comprehend the horror that has been inflicted upon them by this dreadful event.

‘John is a great friend to many in our sport and I am sure that in this time of unimaginable grief for him, the racing family will rally around as we have seen many times before when one of our number is faced with great trauma.’