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 assassin.
This morning they released a statement thanking the public for their expressions of support during what they described as “an extremely difficult time for us.”
It was previously reported that a man suspected of murdering the three women at their Hertfordshire home stabbed himself in the chest, leaving him seriously injured.
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 house on Tuesday afternoon, after which a major manhunt ensued.
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 in Hertfordshire
Police suspect the three women were bound and gagged in their home on the quiet estate before being shot with a crossbow
Police have launched a major manhunt for Clifford, who was found with serious injuries at Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield, North London. Pictured is an armed police officer on patrol at the cemetery
In a statement released today, Hunt and his daughter Amy said: “The devastation we are experiencing is beyond words.
‘We would like to thank the people for their kind messages and for the support we have received over the past few days. These have given us a lot of comfort, for which we are very grateful.
‘As you can imagine, this is an incredibly difficult time for us. We need time and space to process what has happened and to begin the grieving process.
‘While this is happening, we would like to ask that our privacy and that of our wider family and associates is respected at this time. Thank you.’
Police tracked down Clifford, a former soldier, near his home in Enfield, north London, on Wednesday with stab wounds to the chest.
According to The Sun, police believe Clifford’s injuries were “self-inflicted”.
Detectives suspect the three women were bound and gagged for 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 under police guard.
Officers are not allowed to question Clifford until doctors have determined that he is medically fit to be questioned.
Apparently Clifford and Louise were recently in a relationship and met through an online dating site.
Friends and family members laid flowers at the spot where the three women were murdered
Police have sealed off the cemetery where Clifford was found for forensic examination
Detective Chief Inspector Rob Hall, of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Serious Crime Squad, said: ‘Our thoughts are with the families of the victims at this tragic time.
“The investigation is progressing steadily and as a result we have now arrested a man. The investigation is still ongoing at this time.”
Clifford was found with injuries in 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’ 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 busy living their lives and their lives were taken too soon. It’s the stuff of nightmares. I feel for their oldest daughter and 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 only three. It doesn’t seem real. We’re grieving together.”
In a Facebook post, Hannah Hunt’s colleagues at The Anti-Ageing Clinic in Radlett, Hertfordshire, wrote that she was “a fantastic therapist and her clients loved her”.
“We extend our condolences and prayers to her father, sister and family,” the statement said.
Louise Hunt, pictured, was murdered along with 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 message on X, formerly Twitter, said: “We are thinking of the family and praying for them 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” by the commentator’s death. A minute’s silence was held for the family at the festival in July at Newmarket Racecourse in Suffolk.
Jockeys wore black armbands for the race and commentator Richard Hoiles paid tribute to his colleague at the start of ITV’s programming.
Hoiles said his friend Hunt often spoke about his wife and daughters, and that at an “annual Christmas party about 20 years ago” he proudly showed off photos of his daughters to people in the pub.
He added: ‘Words seem hollow and inadequate in such circumstances. All we can do is offer some comfort by showing the warmth and respect with which John and his family are treated. This will be reflected in the many tributes that will be held across the country.’
There was also an outpouring of love and support for Mr Hunt and his family ahead of England’s Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands on Wednesday, with BBC Radio Five presenter Mark Chapman also paying an emotional tribute.
Flowers were also left at the scene of the crash in Ashlyn Close, with some bouquets accompanied by notes reading ‘rest in peace’.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said it had received a mandatory referral from the Metropolitan Police after Clifford was found by officers with serious injuries in Enfield, but did not consider an investigation was necessary.
