Police find suspect in crossbow triple murder near London cemetery

The victims have been named as Carol Hunt, the wife of BBC racing commentator John Hunt, and two of their daughters.

LAST UPDATE | 10 Jul 2024

POLICE IN THE UK have found triple murder suspect Kyle Clifford in the Enfield area of north London and is receiving treatment for injuries, Hertfordshire Police said.

Armed police officers and ambulance staff swarmed the cemetery close to where a house was searched in Enfield in north London.

The cemetery had been closed off and an air ambulance was seen nearby. Clifford is receiving medical treatment having been found with injuries.

Footage appearing to show armed police officers sweeping the cemetery was seen by the PA news agency.

No shots were fired by police, the force said.

Clifford was wanted in connection with the deaths of Carol Hunt, wife of BBC racing commentator John Hunt, and their two daughters Hannah and Louise in Bushey, Hertfordshire.

The broadcaster said in a note to staff: “The news today about John Hunt’s family is utterly devastating. Our thoughts are with John and his family at this incredibly difficult time and we will provide him with all the support we can.”

Detective Inspector Justine Jenkins from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit said: “This continues to be an incredibly difficult time for the victims’ family and we would ask that their privacy is respected as they come to terms with what has happened.

“This investigation is moving at pace and formal identification of the victims is yet to take place. The premature naming of potential victims has caused great upset to the family when they should’ve been given the space to come to terms with their sudden loss.

“Following extensive inquiries, the suspect has been located and nobody else is being sought in connection with the investigation at this time.”

police-and-forensic-officers-at-the-scene-in-ashlyn-close-bushey-hertfordshire-where-three-women-aged-25-28-and-61-who-police-believe-to-be-related-were-found-with-serious-injuries-and-died-at Police and forensic officers at the scene in Ashlyn Close, Bushey, Hertfordshire. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Chief Superintendent Jon Simpson from Hertfordshire Police told reporters earlier the murders are believed to be “targeted” and the force warned the public not to approach the suspect who “may be in possession of a crossbow”.

Have you seen Kyle Clifford? 🚨

Following a triple murder in #Bushey yesterday (Tues 9 July) we're seeking Clifford in connection with the incident.

He could be in #Hertfordshire or North #London. He may be in possession of a crossbow, do not approach.https://t.co/7KonpBsLiB pic.twitter.com/C8nHkXLQy6
— Herts Police (@HertsPolice) July 10, 2024

Simpson repeated warnings to the public not to approach the suspect, but to call 999 if they see him. A neighbour said screams were heard from a house in the quiet cul-de-sac where three women died.

a-forensic-officer-at-the-scene-in-ashlyn-close-bushey-hertfordshire-where-three-women-who-police-believe-to-be-related-were-found-with-serious-injuries-and-died-at-the-scene-a-short-time-after-p A forensic officer at the scene in Ashlyn Close, Bushey, Hertfordshire. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

The 46-year-old who works in the media and lives near the scene but asked not to be named, said “absolute chaos” then broke out as armed police put the road into lockdown.

She told the PA news agency: “It was between 6.30pm and 7pm last night and it literally just sounded like kids, somebody screaming, and then it was more shrill and I was like ‘that’s definitely a woman screaming’, and within 15 minutes, it was absolute chaos.

“We had armed police running down, screaming ‘stay in your house’ … they shut us off and basically put us into lockdown.”

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she is being kept fully updated about the inquiry into the “truly shocking” deaths.

a-view-of-the-scene-in-ashlyn-close-bushey-hertfordshire-where-the-wife-and-two-daughters-of-a-bbc-sports-commentator-have-been-killed-in-a-crossbow-attack-at-their-home-carol-hunt-61-who-was-ma A view of the scene in Ashlyn Close, Bushey, Hertfordshire. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Officers and emergency medical crews including two air ambulances were sent to try to save the women, who were related, but they all died at the scene.

East of England Ambulance Service said three ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance officer vehicle and the Hazardous Area Response Team were also sent to the scene.

Everyone at Sky Sports Racing is deeply saddened by the tragic deaths in Hertfordshire and our thoughts are with our colleague John Hunt, his family and friends at this awful time.
— Sky Sports Racing (@SkySportsRacing) July 10, 2024

The previous government had considered tightening the laws around crossbows after would-be assassin Jaswant Singh Chail was encouraged by an AI chatbot to break into Windsor Castle on Christmas Day 2021 with a loaded crossbow to kill the late Queen.

Currently, there is no requirement to have a licence for a crossbow, but it is illegal to carry one in public without a reasonable excuse.