Police raid houses in Enfield as vigil held for ‘loveliest’ household

Tributes have been paid to the wife and daughters of BBC racing commentator John Hunt after they were horrifically killed in a ‘targeted’ crossbow attack at their home.

Distraught neighbours and friends have said mother Carol, 61, and daughters Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were the ‘loveliest family’ after they were found fatally injured at their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on Tuesday evening.

This morning, heartbroken loved ones attended a vigil for the women at their local church, many of whom were seen arriving in tears at the deeply emotional service.

Colleagues of Mr Hunt, who shares another daughter with Carol who was not at home at the time of the attack, have rallied around him during the ‘utterly devastating’ nightmare their family has been plunged into.

Today, police raided properties in Enfield, believed to be linked to suspect Kyle Clifford, who was the subject of a huge 22-hour manhunt following the discovery of the bodies.

He was tracked down to a cemetery in north London, with the ex-soldier being captured but wounded after seemingly turning the weapon on himself.

He remains in hospital, believed to be in east London, with police expected to issue an update on his condition later today. Officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with triple murder probe. 

It comes as it was revealed:

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’ on Tuesday night. 

Tributes have since poured in for the family, with the BBC saying Mr Hunt is ‘utterly devastated’.

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 said she was 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.’

Inside 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.

At the vigil Father Stevenson said today was about ‘supporting the community’ and that the 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.’ 

Flowers were left at the scene on Thursday, with notes attached to some bouquets with messages such as ‘rest in peace’. 

One heartfelt message read: ‘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.’ 

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

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.

Although police and ambulance had rushed to the house, they 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 camera 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, who was last seen driving off from the cul-de sac in a grey vehicle the previous evening. 

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, believed to be where Clifford lived, 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.’