BBC Radio 5 Live’s Mark Chapman opened his coverage of England’s semi-final by paying a tearful tribute to his colleague John Hunt, whose wife and two daughters were allegedly shot dead with a crossbow at their home last night.
Mr Hunt’s wife Carol, 61, and daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28, were found fatally injured at their £800,000 detached home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, last night.
Police sources said the three women were tied up before being shot in a “targeted attack” that may also have included “other weapons.”
Suspect Kyle Clifford, 26, the ex-boyfriend of John’s daughter Louise, was caught by police this afternoon at Lavender Hill Cemetery, Enfield.
Speaking in a shaky voice on the radio this afternoon, sports presenter Chapman said: “This has been a heartbreaking day. John Hunt is our colleague and our friend, not just from the current team at 5 Live Sport but from everyone who has worked here with him over the last 20 years.
“And also to all of you who have enjoyed his wonderful comments. So, on behalf of all of us at 5 Live Sport, our love, our thoughts and our support are with John and his family.”
Speaking with a trembling voice on BBC Radio 5 Live this afternoon, sports presenter Mark Chapman paid tribute to the family.
Victim Louise Hunt is the ex-girlfriend of crossbow shooting suspect Kyle Clifford
Hannah Hunt, Louise’s sister and John’s daughter, also died after being shot with a crossbow at the family home.
Carol Hunt, who was married to BBC horse racing commentator John Hunt (pictured together), was found fatally injured along with her two daughters at her home last night.
Suspect Kyle Clifford, 26, the ex-boyfriend of John’s daughter Louise, was caught by police this afternoon at Lavender Hill Cemetery, Enfield.
Sports broadcaster John Murray also paid tribute to Mr Hunt this afternoon, telling the audience: “There is no one at BBC Sport more supportive and enthusiastic than John.
‘We all send our love to John and his family.’
Cornelius Lysaght described the tragedy as “an evil so incomprehensible” as he led the support for his BBC Radio colleague.
On Wednesday night, racegoers held a minute’s silence as jockeys rode around wearing black armbands to pay tribute to the family. Both actions will be repeated on Thursday as the sport shows its support for Hunt and his family.
At half-time in tonight’s England semi-final, Mark Pougatch echoed his thoughts to the ITV audience. Commentator Sam Matterface said: “That reflects our thoughts, a wonderful commentator and a wonderful man.”
Clifford, 26, was seen being forced into the back of an ambulance in the Hilly Fields area of Enfield by armed police and paramedics on Wednesday afternoon.
Witnesses said they saw the suspect being carried away on a stretcher while receiving medical treatment before being taken to the Royal London Hospital.
Officials said “no shots were fired by police” and Clifford is being treated at a major trauma center for his injuries.
A London Ambulance spokesman said: “London Ambulance and Air Ambulance crews attended an incident at Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield this afternoon. We treated a man at the scene and took him to a major trauma centre.”
Clifford became Britain’s most wanted man after police said they were searching for the former soldier in connection with the “murders” of Carol, 61, and her two daughters Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, who is Clifford’s ex-girlfriend.
The women, who are the wife and daughters of BBC Five Live racing commentator John Hunt, were found fatally injured inside their £800,000 detached home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, last night.
Police sources said the women had been tied up before being shot dead with a crossbow in a “targeted attack” that may also have included “other weapons”.