Manhunt launched after BBC presenter’s family killed

The wife and two daughters of a popular Sky and BBC presenter were killed in a savage crossbow attack, sparking a massive manhunt for the ex-boyfriend of the youngest victim.

The wife and two daughters of a popular British sports presenter were killed in a savage crossbow attack, sparking a massive manhunt for the suspected murderer.

BBC Radio 5 Live and Sky Racing presenter John Hunt arrived to find his wife Carol Hunt, 61, and daughters Hannah Hunt, 28, and Louise Hunt, 25, tied up and fighting for their lives in their Hertfordshire home, about 35 km northwest of London.

They were pronounced dead at the scene after medics were unable to save them.

Suspect Kyle Clifford, 26, was found injured in a cemetery near his Enfield home after a massive search across north London involving armed officers and a specialist search dog.

The triple murder suspect is stretchered away from the cemetery in north London. Picture: Sky News

Suspected killer Kyle Clifford with his former girlfriend Louise Hunt, who was killed alongside her sister and mother. Picture: X

Police said no shots were fired when they found Clifford, who was the ex-boyfriend of the youngest victim, Louise. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

It has now emerged that Clifford’s older brother, Bradley, was convicted of murder after a trial at the Old Bailey six years ago.

Bradley Clifford received a 23-year prison term after he mowed down and killed a moped rider for smashing a bottle on his prized Ford Mustang car in 2017, The Sun reports.

Mr Hunt, 58, is a former police officer who has been a popular live racing commentator for BBC 5 for the past 20 years.

Louise Hunt, 25, had a bad break-up with the suspected killer. Picture: Supplied

Hannah Hunt, 28, was killed alongside her younger sister. Picture: Supplied

BBC Radio Five Live sent a note to staff calling the incident “utterly devastating”.

Sky Sports Racing said on X that the team was “deeply saddened by the tragic deaths” and “our thoughts are with our colleague John Hunt, his family and friends at this awful time”.

Mr Hunt arrived to find his family alive but severely injured about 7pm on Tuesday night, local time. Medics arrived but were unable to save any of the women.

Popular BBC presenter John Hunt with his wife Carol, 61. Picture: Supplied

Police at the house where the three women were killed in Bushey. Picture: Sky News

Chilling footage appeared to show Mr Clifford in the neighbourhood with a crossbow under his arm around the time of the attack.

The video, obtained by The Sun, shows the three-foot object covered by a sheet as the man walks from an alleyway leading to the Hunt’s family home.

One neighbour described hearing “shrill” screams from the house. The 46-year-old who lives near the scene, said “absolute chaos” then broke out as armed police put the road into lockdown.

A manhunt was launched for Kyle Clifford, 26, who was considered armed and dangerous. Picture: Supplied

“We had armed police running down, screaming ‘stay in your house’”, she added.

Schools went into the next morning as the public was warned not to approach Mr Clifford, who briefly served in the Armed Forces. Police said he could be carrying a crossbow and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Neighbour Glyn Nicholas, 77, said that a relationship between the suspect and one of the victims had recently ended badly.

“Louise split up with her boyfriend a few days ago and she crashed her car into a telegraph pole because she was so upset coming home. She’s a lovely, caring girl. She runs a dog grooming business in Bushey,” Mr Nicholas said, according to the UK’s Telegraph.

“Her sister Hannah and mother Carol are lovely as well. It’s all so sad. Louise was a sweet, lovely girl. They all were. This is so sad for everyone,” he said.

Chief Superintendent Jon Simpson said armed officers and specialist search teams were involved in the manhunt, with the suspect believed to be in north London or around Bushey. Mr Simpson also urged Mr Clifford to contact police.

Police officers survey the crime scene in Ashlyn Close in Bushey, Picture: Getty Images

He called it “a horrific incident involving what is currently believed to be a crossbow, but other weapons may also have been used”.

There is no licence required to own a crossbow in the UK, but it is illegal to carry one in public without a reasonable excuse.

Interior minister Yvette Cooper called the deaths “truly shocking” and said she was being kept updated about the inquiry.

A spokeswoman for her department said legislation was “under constant review and a call for evidence was launched earlier this year to look at whether further controls on crossbows should be introduced”.

Originally published as Manhunt launched after BBC presenter’s family killed