BBC racing commentator John Hunt and his surviving daughter have told of their ‘devastation’ after his wife and two daughters were murdered at their home by an alleged crossbow killer.
They released a statement this morning, thanking the public for messages of support in what they described as ‘an extremely difficult time for us’.
It was earlier revealed that a man suspected of murdering the three women at their Hertfordshire home is believed to have stabbed himself in the chest, leaving himself in a serious condition.
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 at the house on Tuesday afternoon prompting a major manhunt.
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 the murder of three woman, Carol Hunt and her daughters Hannah and Louise at their home in Bushey in Hertfordshire
Police believe the three women were bound and gagged at their home in the quiet estate before being shot with a crossbow
Police launched a major manhunt for Clifford. He was found with serious injuries at Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield, north London. Pictured an armed police officer on patrol in the cemetery
In a statement released today, Mr Hunt and his daughter Amy said: ‘The devastation that we are experiencing cannot be put into words.
‘We would like to thank people for their kind messages and for the support we have received in recent days. These have provided great comfort to us for which we are very grateful.
‘As you can imagine, this is an extremely difficult time for us, and we need time and space to come to terms with what has happened and start the grieving process.
‘While this is happening, we would ask that our privacy and that of our wider family and relations be respected at this time. Thank you.’
Police tracked down Clifford, a former soldier, near his home in Enfield, north London on Wednesday. He had stab wounds to the chest.
According to The Sun, police believe Clifford’s injuries may have been ‘self-inflicted’.
Investigating officers believe the three women were tied up and gagged for several hours before they were 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 will not be able to interview Clifford until doctors agree that he is medically fit to be questioned.
It is understood that Clifford and Louise had recently been involved in a relationship having met on an online dating site.
Friends and relatives left floral tributes near the point where the three women were killed
Police sealed off the cemetery where Clifford was found for a forensic examination
Detective Superintendent Rob Hall, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire major crime unit, said: ‘Our thoughts remain with the victims’ family at this tragic time.
‘The investigation is moving at pace and as a result, we have now arrested a man. Inquiries are continuing at this time.’
Clifford was found with injuries in Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield, north London, on Wednesday afternoon after police appealed 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 making their way through life and their lives have been taken too soon. It’s the thing of nightmares. I feel for their eldest 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: ‘We were a four, and now there’s only three. It doesn’t seem real. We are together in grief.’
In a post on Facebook, Hannah Hunt’s colleagues at The Anti-Ageing Clinic in Radlett, Hertfordshire, said she was ‘a fantastic therapist and clients loved her’.
‘We send our condolences and prayers to her Dad, sister and family,’ the post said.
Louise Hunt, pictured, was killed alongside her mother and sister, Hannah
Hanna Hunt, pictured, was also killed at the family’s home in Bushey, Hertfordshire
Loreto College in St Albans said it was ‘mourning the loss of two of our ex-students, Hannah & Louise, along with their mother, Carol’.
A post on X, formerly Twitter, said: ‘We extend our thoughts & prayers to the family during this most difficult time. As a Loreto Community, they will always hold a place in our heart. May they rest in peace.’
Colleagues of Mr Hunt 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.
Jockeys at the fixture sported black armbands and commentator Richard Hoiles paid tribute to his colleague at the start of ITV’s programming.
Hoiles said his friend Mr Hunt would often talk about his wife and daughters, and recalled how, at an ‘annual shindig at Christmas 20-odd years ago’, he proudly showed pictures of his daughters to people in the pub.
He added: ‘Words just seem hollow and inadequate in such circumstances and all we can try and do is provide some crumb of comfort by trying to exhibit the warmth and respect in which John and his family is held, as will be shown by the many tributes that will be held up and down the country.’
There was also an outpouring of love and support for Mr Hunt and his family ahead of England’s Euro 2024 football semi-final against the Netherlands on Wednesday, including BBC Radio Five presenter Mark Chapman paying a tearful tribute.
Flowers were also left at the scene in Ashlyn Close, with notes attached to some bouquets with messages such as ‘rest in peace’.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said it received a mandatory referral from the Metropolitan Police after Clifford was found by officers with serious injuries in Enfield, but was satisfied no investigation was needed.
