John Hunt ‘susceptible’ as he returns to work after crossbow tragedy
- Carol Hunt, 61, Hannah Hunt, 28, and Louise Hunt, 25, were all fatally injured
- John Hunt made a poignant return to the commentary box for the Brighton card
- He explained his decision to cover the races at the Sussex track was deliberate
BBC commentator John Hunt has revealed he and his daughter Amy are ‘wounded and vulnerable’ as he returns to work 60 days after his wife and other two daughters were killed in a crossbow attack.
Carol Hunt, 61, Hannah Hunt, 28, and Louise Hunt, 25, were fatally injured at their family home in Bushey, Hertfordshire on July 9.
The suspect, named as Kyle Clifford, 26, was arrested and remains in hospital after being found by police in Enfield with self-inflicted injuries following a manhunt.
Returning to work on Monday, Mr Hunt told the Mirror in an emotional statement how his ‘knees buckled’ as he recalled his last memories of his wife as they took a holiday in Brighton in May.
He said he and Carol had been ‘laughing like teenagers’ as they took a ride on the Wild Rapids at Brighton pier.
‘I know the girls are with me at all times,’ he added, as he thanked wellwishers for their love and support.
BBC commentator John Hunt has returned to work weeks after his wife Carol Hunt (pictured) and two of his daughters, Hannah Hunt and Louise Hunt, were killed in a crossbow attack
All three women were found fatally injured at their family home in Bushey, Hertfordshire
Pictures of the victims were included in floral tributes left at the scene of the murders
Just 60 days after the attack, Mr Hunt made his poignant return to work after covering all seven races on the card at Brighton for Sky Sports on Monday.
The racing expert provided commentary for At The Races in his first appearance at the track since what police described as a ‘targeted attack’ by Clifford.
He had stepped down shortly after the incident, missing the Paris Olympics at which he would have called the action during swimming events for the BBC.
Mr Hunt said: ‘It’s been 60 days since my girls, Carol, Hannah and Louise were killed and whilst Amy and I still feel so wounded and vulnerable, returning to work at Brighton felt achievable and realistic.
‘Carol and I had our last weekend away together in Brighton at the end of May and looking out from the press box, out to sea, my knees buckled recalling us on the wild rapids ride on the pier just over three months ago.
‘Soaked to the skin and laughing like teenagers.
‘But I know the girls are with me at all times and would have been gently encouraging me to take a breath or two, and stride on.
Kyle Clifford, pictured right, was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in hospital
‘The warmth from everyone at the track was so striking with hugs and kindness washing over me all day. My thanks to everyone who has contacted me, to Racetech who made things so straightforward, and all racegoers who said hello.
‘Amy and I are determined to take small steps forward whenever we feel able. To that end, today was a good day and I’m grateful for it.’
Since the tragedy that took the lives of his family members, colleagues and friends of Mr Hunt have set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for him and his remaining daughter.
It has so far raised more than £120,000.
Clifford was arrested on suspicion of three counts of murder.
On the day of the killings a friend of Hannah Hunt first alerted emergency services after receiving a message from her telling them she had been ‘tied up’ at the family home.
Ms Hunt was then able to call the police, reporting that she had been shot, as had her mother and sister. She gave her address before the call cut out, the hearing was told.
When officers arrived they found her alive in the main doorway of the home, with a crossbow bolt still in her chest.
When they turned to the adjacent room, Carol and Louise were found with injuries. Both were pronounced dead on arrival, the court heard.
Police launched a manhunt for the former soldier after the three women’s bodies were found at their home and tracked him down to Lavender Hill cemetery in Enfield.
He was found with wounds to his chest and underwent surgery – but is still too ill to be questioned.
A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Police said: ‘A suspect remains in hospital and is receiving treatment. We will be guided by healthcare professionals.’
In a statement at the time, Mr Hunt described the ‘unimaginable’ devastation wrought by ‘horrid evil’, adding he and daughter Amy ‘will get through this’.
