BBC racing commentator John Hunt and his surviving daughter have told of their “devastation” after his wife and two daughters were murdered in their home by a suspected crossbow killer.
This morning they released a statement thanking the public for their messages of support in what they described as “an extremely difficult time for us.”
It was previously revealed that a man suspected of murdering the three women at their Hertfordshire home is believed to have stabbed himself in the chest, leaving him in a serious condition.
Kyle Clifford, 26, was arrested on suspicion of murdering Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, at their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire.
The three women were found in the home on Tuesday afternoon, prompting a major search.
Carol Hunt, pictured right, was the wife of BBC Radio Five Live racing commentator John Hunt, pictured left.
Kyle Clifford, pictured, has been arrested on suspicion of murdering three women, Carol Hunt and her daughters Hannah and Louise at their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire.
Police believe the three women were bound and gagged at their home in the quiet residential area before being shot with a crossbow.
Police launched a major manhunt for Clifford. He was found with serious injuries at Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield, north London. Pictured here, an armed police officer patrols the cemetery.
In a statement released today, Mr Hunt and his daughter Amy said: ‘The devastation we are experiencing cannot be put into words.
‘We would like to thank people for their kind messages and the support we have received over the past few days. They have provided us with great comfort and we are very grateful for that.
‘As you can imagine, this is an extremely difficult time for us and we need time and space to accept what has happened and begin the grieving process.
‘In the meantime, we ask that our privacy and that of our family and friends be respected at this time. Thank you.’
Police found Clifford, a former soldier, near his home in Enfield, north London, on Wednesday. He had stab wounds to the chest.
According to The Sun, police believe Clifford’s injuries may have been “self-inflicted.”
Investigators believe the three women were bound and gagged for several hours before being shot with a crossbow.
Clifford was rushed to hospital and underwent life-saving surgery. He remains in a serious condition and is in police custody.
Officers will not be able to interview Clifford until doctors agree he is medically fit to be questioned.
Clifford and Louise are known to have recently been involved in a relationship having met on an online dating site.
Friends and family left floral offerings near the place where the three women were killed
Police have closed the cemetery where Clifford was found for a forensic examination.
Detective Superintendent Rob Hall, of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: ‘Our thoughts remain with the victims’ family at this tragic time.
“The investigation is progressing well and as a result we have arrested one man. Enquiries are continuing at this time.”
Clifford was found with injuries at Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield, north London, on Wednesday afternoon after police issued an appeal to find him.
Friends of the Hunt family attended a vigil at St James’s 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 in life and their lives were cut short too soon. It’s the stuff of nightmares. I feel for their eldest daughter and for 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: “There were four of us and now there are three of us. It doesn’t feel real. We’re in pain together.”
In a Facebook post, Hannah Hunt’s colleagues at The Anti-Ageing Clinic in Radlett, Hertfordshire, said she was “a fantastic therapist and loved by clients”.
“We send our condolences and prayers to his father, sister and family,” the post said.
Louise Hunt, pictured, was killed alongside her mother and sister, Hannah
Hanna Hunt, pictured, was also murdered at the family home in Bushey, Hertfordshire.
Loreto College in St Albans said it was “mourning the loss of two of our former students, Hannah and Louise, along with their mother, Carol”.
A post on X, formerly Twitter, read: ‘We extend our thoughts and prayers to the family during this very difficult time. As a Loreto community, they will always have a place in our hearts. May they rest in peace.’
Mr Hunt’s colleagues 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.
Jockeys attending the event wore black armbands and commentator Richard Hoiles paid tribute to his colleague at the start of the ITV programme.
Hoiles said his friend Mr Hunt often spoke about his wife and daughters, and recalled how, at an “annual party at Christmas about 20 years ago”, he would proudly show photographs of his daughters to people in the pub.
He added: “Words seem hollow and inadequate in such circumstances and all we can try to do is provide a shred of comfort by trying to show the warmth and respect felt by John and his family, as will be demonstrated by the many tributes that will be made across the country.”
There was also an outpouring of love and support for Hunt and his family ahead of England’s Euro 2024 football semi-final against the Netherlands on Wednesday, including BBC Radio Five presenter Mark Chapman paying a tearful tribute.
Flowers were also left at the scene in Ashlyn Close, with notes attached to some bouquets with messages such as “rest in peace”.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said it received a mandatory referral from the Metropolitan Police after officers found Clifford with serious injuries in Enfield, but was satisfied no investigation was necessary.