Heartbroken BBC racing commentator John Hunt has urged people to ‘make the most of every day’ with their families after his wife and two daughters were killed 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, said more than £28,000 from a fundraiser set up after the horrifying attack would help his surviving daughter, Amy.
‘Family means more to some than others and for John, his family unit was something he absolutely adored,’ Mr Chapman told the BBC.
‘He told me: ”Matty, the message I would tell everyone is you never know when it’s going to be the last day you see your family”. The message was very clear: make the most of every day because you just don’t know.’
Kyle Clifford, 26, has been arrested on suspicion of three counts of murder but police have not yet been able to speak to him because he remains in a serious condition after stabbing himself in the chest.
Carol Hunt, pictured right, was the wife of BBC Radio Five Live racing commentator John Hunt, left
Louise Hunt, pictured, was killed alongside her mother Carol and sister Hannah
Hannah Hunt, pictured, was also killed at the family’s home in Bushey, Hertfordshire
Kyle Clifford, pictured right, has been arrested on suspicion of murder
Mr Chapman said John had said his ‘biggest desire’ was to make sure Amy had ‘no money worries for the rest of her life’.
‘There are a lot of people, including myself, who feel helpless and would like to do something,’ he said.
‘John would like nothing more for Amy after these horrific events than a life that is a little less stressful, because life will never be stress-free again.
‘It’s not going to take their grief away – it’s not going to take the pain away or change anything – but it might help them have an easier life.’
John and Amy released a joint statement on Saturday, thanking the public for their messages of support during what they described as ‘an extremely difficult time for us’.
‘The devastation that we are experiencing cannot be put into words,’ they said.
‘We would like to thank people for their kind messages and for the support we have received in recent days. These have provided great comfort to us for which we are very grateful.
‘As you can imagine, this is an extremely difficult time for us, and we need time and space to come to terms with what has happened and start the grieving process.
‘While this is happening, we would ask that our privacy and that of our wider family and relations be respected at this time. Thank you.’
There has been an outpouring of support for BBC 5 Live’s Mr Hunt, who has worked at the Corporation for 30 years. He had hoped his wife would visit him while he covered the Paris Olympics next month.
In a further statement Matt Chapman read to Sky Sports Racing viewers on the weekend, Mr Hunt paid tribute to his ‘magnificently inspirational’ surviving daughter.
Pictures of the victims were included amid floral tributes left at the scene of the killings
Handwritten messages of sympathy were provided in cards placed by wellwishers
Friends and relatives left floral tributes near the home where the three women were killed
Clifford was found with serious injuries at Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield, north London. Pictured is an armed police officer on patrol in the cemetery on Wednesday
He said: ‘Notwithstanding the horrid evil that’s swept through our lives, wreaking devastation on an unimaginable scale, the counter to that has been the breathtaking messages of support, some of which are still to be read.
‘Amy, my eldest daughter, has been magnificently inspirational with her control and support for me, which I am trying, trying so hard, to replicate.
‘Every message has felt so important, the same as a reassuring hug.
‘We know people are worried about us, we will get through this. Sending love to everyone, John.’
Police launched an urgent manhunt for Clifford after the three women’s bodies were found at a home on Ashlyn Close in Bushey last Tuesday night
After a massive manhunt lasting nearly 24 hours, police tracked down the suspect – a former soldier – to 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 that they are waiting for medics to give the go ahead for them to speak to Clifford.
They have confirmed that, although he has been arrested over the deaths, the usual time limit for a suspect to be held in custody does not yet apply.
Police found a crossbow on Thursday.
Detective Superintendent Rob Hall, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire major crime unit, said: ‘Our thoughts remain with the victims’ family at this tragic time.
‘The investigation is moving at pace and as a result, we have now arrested a man. Inquiries are continuing at this time.’
Clifford, 26, was discovered by police near headstones in Enfield’s Lavender Hill Cemetery
Police sealed off the cemetery where Clifford was found for a forensic examination
Friends of the Hunt family attended a vigil at St James’ Church in Bushey on Thursday and paid tribute to the three women.
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 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.’
After being joined by two other close friends, Dionne Smith, 58, and Abigail Phillips, 58, the trio told reporters: ‘We were a four, and now there’s only three. It doesn’t seem real. We are together in grief.’
In a post on Facebook, Hannah Hunt’s colleagues at The Anti-Ageing Clinic in Radlett, Hertfordshire, said she was ‘a fantastic therapist and clients loved her’.
‘We send our condolences and prayers to her Dad, sister and family,’ the post said.
Loreto College in St Albans said it was ‘mourning the loss of two of our ex-students, Hannah & Louise, along with their mother, Carol’.
A post on X said: ‘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.’
Colleagues of Mr Hunt said they were ‘heartbroken’ for the commentator and a minute’s silence was held for the family during the July Festival at Newmarket Racecourse in Suffolk.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said it received a mandatory referral from the Metropolitan Police after Clifford was found by officers with serious injuries in Enfield, but was satisfied no investigation was needed.