The wife of BBC racing commentator John Hunt died from stab wounds while his two daughters suffered fatal injuries from crossbow bolts, an inquest heard.
Carol Hunt, 61, Hannah Hunt, 28, and Louise Hunt, 25, were fatally injured at their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on July 9.
Following a massive manhunt, Louise’s ex-boyfriend, Kyle Clifford, 26, was arrested on suspicion of three counts of murder.
However, police have been unable to question the suspect in the triple murder, who remains in hospital with self-inflicted wounds.
Recalling the events of that tragic day, Hertfordshire Coroner’s Court heard that police had received a redirected call from the Metropolitan Police alerting them to the incident.
Carol Hunt, pictured right, was the wife of BBC Radio Five Live racing commentator John Hunt, left. Carol and their two daughters, Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were found fatally injured at the home in Ashlyn Close, Bushey, on 9 July.
Louise Hunt, pictured, was murdered alongside her mother Carol and sister Hannah.
Hannah Hunt, pictured, was also murdered at the family home in Bushey, Hertfordshire.
A member of the public had called the Met to inform call takers that they had received a text message from Hannah telling them to call the police as she, as well as her mother and sister, had been tied up.
Hannah called 999 at 18.58 and told emergency services that she, her mother and sister had been shot. She told police the name of the person responsible and called for an ambulance, the inquest heard.
Upon arrival, emergency services found Hannah still alive in the doorway, “shot in the chest with a crossbow bolt” that remained in her chest.
When they went to the next room, Carol and Louise were found with injuries. Both arrived dead, the court heard.
The women’s bodies were identified at Princess Alexandra Hospital on July 11. An autopsy determined Carol died from stab wounds.
The two daughters died from a 1a-gauge cross-bolt wound to the chest, the inquest heard.
Investigators will wait for medical staff to confirm that Kyle Clifford is well enough to speak with before they can question him.
This morning, Senior Coroner Mr Geoffery Sullivan concluded inquests pending the conclusion of criminal proceedings.
Hertfordshire Police confirmed this morning that there was no new development in the case as Clifford continues to receive treatment in hospital while in custody.
Investigators will have to wait until medical staff decide the triple murder suspect is well enough to be investigated for the triple murder.
A major manhunt for Clifford was launched on July 9 after the bodies of the three women were found at his home in Ashlyn Close.
He was found just under 24 hours later with what are believed to be self-inflicted wounds in Lavender Hills Cemetery, near the Hilly Fields area of Enfield, north London, close to where he is from.
The former soldier and security guard was rushed to hospital after allegedly shooting himself with a crossbow bolt.
The time limit officers have to question Clifford will only begin to run once they begin formally questioning him.
Since the tragic deaths of the three women, tributes and messages of support have poured in for Mr Hunt and his eldest and only remaining daughter, Amy.
Paying tribute to the three victims, Mr Hunt and Amy previously 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.’
Friends and family left floral offerings near the house where the three women were killed.
In a separate statement read out to Sky Sports Racing viewers by colleague Matt Chapman, Mr Hunt paid tribute to his surviving daughter, who was “magnificently inspirational”.
He said: ‘Despite the terrible evil that has devastated our lives, causing devastation on an unimaginable scale, the counterbalance has been the overwhelming messages of support, some of which are yet to be read.
‘My eldest daughter Amy has been a wonderful inspiration with her control and support towards me, something I am trying, trying very hard, to replicate.
“Every message has been very important, like a comforting hug. We know that people are worried about us. We will get through this.”
Mr Chapman added that the fundraiser set up for Mr Hunt and his family, which has raised more than £100,000, will go to Amy.
Photographs of the victims were included among the floral tributes left at the scene of the murders.
Clifford was found with serious injuries at Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield, north London. Pictured here, an armed police officer patrols the cemetery on Wednesday, July 10.
Further tributes were paid to the three women at a vigil held at St James’s Church in Bushey by friends and loved ones of the Hunt family.
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 are in pain together.”
Detective Superintendent Rob Hall, of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said at the time: “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.”
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