BBC commentator John Hunt has spoken of his “devastation” after his wife and daughters were killed in a crossbow attack. Carol Hunt, 61, and two of the couple’s daughters Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were discovered at their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire on Tuesday evening suffering serious injuries believed to be caused by a crossbow . Other weapons may also have been used, police said.
In a statement, John Hunt, and his other 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.
” Kyle Clifford has been arrested on suspicion of murder over the killings. Hertfordshire Police said a 26-year-old man from Enfield in north London was arrested on Thursday evening on suspicion of three counts of murder. He remains in a serious condition in hospital with self-inflicted wounds.
Officers were called to the Hunts’ home in Ashlyn Close just before 7pm on Tuesday. They attended alongside crews from the East of England Ambulance Service but despite their efforts, the women died at the scene from their injuries. A major manhunt was launched to find the suspect and police issued an appeal to the public to call 999 if they saw him or knew of his whereabouts, warning he might be armed and that he should not be approached.
He was found by officers in Lavender Hill cemetery in Enfield on Wednesday evening. At a vigil at St James’ Church in Bushey on Thursday, friends of the Hunt family paid tributes. 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.
” 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”. 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 social media post read: “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, while jockeys sported black armbands.
Flowers were also left at the scene in Ashlyn Close, with notes attached to some bouquets with messages such as “rest in peace”. 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.”.
