Triple murder suspect Kyle Clifford was arrested in hospital today following the shooting deaths of three relatives of a BBC racing commentator.
The 26-year-old was found with injuries in the Hilly Fields area of Enfield, north London, on Wednesday following a chase that lasted several hours.
Clifford was taken to hospital for treatment and was arrested today on suspicion of murder. Hertfordshire Police said he remains in a serious condition.
Carol Hunt, 61, wife of BBC 5 Live commentator John Hunt, and two of her daughters, Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were found fatally injured at a house in the quiet cul-de-sac of Ashlyn Close in Bushey, Hertfordshire, shortly after 7pm on Tuesday.
Detective Superintendent Rob Hall, of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Serious Crime Unit, said today: “Our thoughts are with the victims’ family at this tragic time. The investigation is progressing well and as a result we have arrested a man. Enquiries are continuing at this time.”
Police previously said a crossbow was recovered as part of the investigation.
Officers also confirmed they had received no previous reports after exploring whether there had been any previous contact with Clifford or the victims, as it emerged Louise was the suspect’s ex-partner.
Kyle Clifford, 26, was found with injuries in the Hilly Fields area of Enfield on Wednesday.
John Hunt is pictured with his wife Carol, who was killed along with two of their two daughters.
Friends and colleagues of the three victims have paid tribute to the “lovely family” since their deaths.
Lea Holloway, 60, a childhood friend of Carol Hunt, described her as a “beautiful person”.
Speaking outside St James’s Church yesterday after a vigil for Mrs Hunt and her daughters, she said: “We grew up together and were pregnant at the same time. This is what nightmares are made of.”
“I was there the night she met John (Hunt). It was at a nightclub in Hemel Hempstead. We went out together, went to birthdays and events.
Hannah Hunt was killed along with her mother and sister in the Bushey crossbow attack
Louise Hunt (pictured), sister of Hannah Hunt and daughter of Carol and John Hunt, was murdered
“It’s very difficult. She was the kindest, sweetest, gentlest person you could ever meet. A beautiful person.”
Mrs Holloway continued: ‘They were a lovely family and (the daughters) were lovely girls. They were making their way in life and their lives were cut short far too soon. It’s the stuff of nightmares.
“I feel sorry for her oldest 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 it was with “deep regret and sadness” that they learned of the “horrific murder on Tuesday night of our skin therapist Hannah”.
Sky News footage appeared to show Clifford being carried on a stretcher out of Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield on Wednesday by paramedics.
The post continued: “She was a fantastic therapist and her clients adored her. We send our condolences and prayers to her father, sister and family. She was a very important part of our team. Please bear with us during this terrible time.”
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 read: ‘We extend our thoughts and prayers to the family during this 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.
Riders attending the event wore black armbands.
Commentator Richard Hoiles paid tribute to his colleague at the start of the ITV programme.
Lea Holloway, 60, a childhood friend of Carol Hunt, described her as a “beautiful person”.
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.”
Further searches were carried out yesterday at a home linked to Clifford’s brother Bradley Clifford, who was jailed for life with a minimum term of 23 years for the murder of moped passenger Soban Khan in 2018.
According to the Metropolitan Police, at the time of the murder, Bradley Clifford had been aiming for the moped before crashing into it and continued to attack Mr Khan after the collision.
Close friend Lea Holloway (centre) leaves flowers at Ashlyn Close in Bushey, Hertfordshire
Officers were seen at the Rendlesham Road address in Enfield in connection with the deaths.
Police officers wearing gloves and masks were seen outside the property, which was first searched on Wednesday.
Searching officers appeared to recover two computer hard drives and two bags of documents from the address.
Flowers were left at the scene in Ashlyn Close yesterday, with notes attached to some bouquets with messages such as “rest in peace”.
Clifford was found injured at Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield on Wednesday and was taken to a major trauma centre for treatment.
Members of the congregation attending a service at St James’s Church in Bushey yesterday
Police said no shots were fired by officers. Armed police were in the area and an air ambulance was nearby.
Sky News footage appeared to show Clifford being carried out of the cemetery on a stretcher by paramedics and another clip appeared to show the suspect being taken to the Royal London Hospital.
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.
A spokesman said: “From the evidence provided, there does not appear to have been any physical contact with Mr Clifford at the time he was seriously injured.
“We are therefore convinced that the matter does not require investigation and has been returned to the force for resolution.”
A view of the scene at Ashlyn Close in Bushey, Hertfordshire, where the Hunt family lived.
At a news conference before Clifford was found, Chief Superintendent Jon Simpson of Hertfordshire Police told reporters the killings were believed to have been “deliberate”.
During the search for Clifford, who is believed to have left the army in 2022 after a short stint, the force said they believed he may have been armed with a crossbow and warned people not to approach him.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is urgently considering whether stricter laws on the use of crossbows are needed in the wake of the killings.
It will examine the findings of a Home Office review carried out earlier this year.
During his trip to the Nato summit in Washington DC, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told the BBC: “Let me first say how terrible this incident was, and our condolences and thoughts are obviously with all the family members and families affected.
‘With regard to crossbows, the Minister of the Interior has announced that she will study the legislation, and she will do so.’
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