One of suspected crossbow killer Kyle Clifford’s victims had been in a “controlling” relationship with him for at least six months, a family friend said tonight.
Louise Hunt, 25, is believed to have introduced Clifford to her family earlier this year and taken him to a cousin’s birthday party in April.
However, although he seemed like a “nice guy,” he tried to control her, even forbidding her to wear makeup, stay out late, and have male friends.
Louise was murdered alongside her mother Carol, 61, and sister Hannah, 28, at their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on Tuesday night.
Clifford, who was caught on neighbours’ CCTV leaving the property with a crossbow wrapped in a white sheet, is currently in a “serious condition” in hospital after being tracked by armed police to a cemetery in north London yesterday afternoon following a 22-hour manhunt.
The friend, who asked not to be named, said: ‘Kyle was controlling and used to ridicule Louise.
Louise Hunt, 25, is believed to have introduced Kyle Clifford (pictured together) to her family earlier this year and took him to a cousin’s birthday party in April.
Friends say they tried to control Louise (pictured), including stopping her from wearing makeup, staying out late and having male friends.
Clifford, who was caught on neighbours’ CCTV leaving the property with a crossbow wrapped in a white sheet, is currently in a “serious condition” in hospital.
Hannah Hunt, 28, and her mother Carol Hunt, 61, also died in Tuesday’s tragic attack.
‘In public he appeared to be a nice guy, but in private he was not at all.
‘There had been no previous incidents of violence towards Louise – nothing that we knew of anyway – but he forced himself on her.
‘There were certain things, like Louise liked to wear makeup, but then she stopped wearing it, and that was Kyle’s fault.
I’m not sure how they met, but they had been together since at least April because he went to a family party with Louise.
‘She introduced him to her parents, they are lovely people, very kind and would have liked to welcome him into their family.
“But there were warning signs. And when Louise split up with Kyle I think they were very relieved.
“What happened is incomprehensible, it’s horrible. They were an incredibly lovely and friendly family. And they were well known in Bushey because of their various businesses.
“They were very loved. This completely devastated the community.”
Hannah’s best friend Abdul Morsli, 28, from Harrow, left a wreath at the police cordon this evening.
Abdul Morsli told how the Hunt family took him under their wing and invited him to Ascot two years ago. He is pictured here with John (left) and Hannah (right).
Abdul, pictured with Hannah, said: “I’ve known Hannah since I was 13 and we went to school together. She was so lovely, a really amazing person.”
Fighting back tears, he told how Carol and her husband John, a BBC Five Live commentator, took him in five years ago when he needed somewhere to stay.
He said: ‘I lived with them for about three or four months when I was going through some things and needed help.
‘They invited me to their house without hesitation.
‘Carol treated me like her own son, she used to cook me dinner every night and John invited me to Royal Ascot two years ago.
“I’ve known Hannah since I was 13 and we went to school together. She was so lovely, a really amazing person.
“She was from a beautiful family. They were so generous and welcoming. I can’t describe how wonderful they are.”
Abdul said Louise was in a relationship with Clifford last Christmas and said: ‘She was in love with him.
‘Hannah was convinced they would marry one day… but there were problems with his controlling behavior.
“I think Louise tried to keep it a secret, but I know he didn’t like her staying out too late, even though they didn’t live together, and he really didn’t like her having male friends.”
Police have not yet spoken to Clifford, who is still under sedation in hospital, but say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the triple murder.