A manhunt is under way for the chief suspect in the "horrific" killings of the wife and daughters of a BBC sports commentator. Kyle Clifford is being hunted by following the discovery of the fatally-injured women aged 25, 28 and 61 and police have warned he is believed to armed with a crossbow and other weapons.
The victims have now been identified as Carol Hunt, 61, Hannah Hunt, 28, and Louise Hunt, 25. They are the wife and daughters of BBC Five Live horse racing commentator John Hunt. It is understood Mr Hunt been working for the BBC racing on Tuesday and may have raised the alarm when he returned home.
Today Chief Superintendent Jon Simpson said the attack last night in Ashlyn Close, Bushey, Hertfordshire was a "targeted incident " and Clifford, 26, was "wanted in connection with murder," reports The Mirror.
READ MORE
Teacher sent sexual messages to undercover cop posing as 14-year-old girl
A40 closed after air ambulance lands at scene of crash
He said: "Our overarching objective today is to protect public safety and to locate Kyle Clifford, who is wanted in connection with the murder of the three women in what we believe is a targeted incident. We have extensive police resources deployed to various locations in north London and also the Bushey area."
"The manhunt also involves armed police officers and specialist search teams responding at pace in the wake of what has been a horrific incident involving what is currently believed to be a crossbow, but other weapons may also have been used."
Addressing Clifford directly, he said: "Kyle, if you are seeing or hearing this, please make contact with the police."
The three women were found in the early evening after police and ambulance vehicles - including two air ambulances - were called to to a home in Bushey, Hertfordshire before 7pm. The trio had suffered serious injuries but were alive when discovered, however all died a short time later.
A neighbour said screams were heard from a house in the quiet cul-de-sac where the women died. 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."
The man at the centre of the major manhunt, Clifford is from the Enfield area and police have been searching for him throughout the night after the horrific discovery. Cops believe he could be anywhere in the Hertfordshire or North London area but have urged anyone who sees him to stay wary and to phone 999 immediately, with a spokesperson for the police force later specifying that Clifford "may be in possession of a crossbow". Anyone with information has been urged to come forward by police.
Armed police have searched an address in Rendlesham Road, Enfield, as the manhunt continues. The house, close to Gordon Hill railway station, was swarmed by officers on Wednesday morning, according to neighbours. Two officers were stood outside the property at 1.30pm, after a cordon was removed.
One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "They kept going in and out of the property carrying guns, the whole road was taped off. It was over quite quickly but there's been helicopters flying around the area all day. I don't recognise the suspect at all, as far as I'm concerned he didn't live in the house."
Aerial shots from a BBC live feed have shown a blue-and-white forensic tent in one of the front gardens of the cul-de-sac, with police and forensic teams swarming the area. The search is ongoing but no arrests have yet been made.
Ch Supt Jon Simpson said "extensive police resources" are being piled into the manhunt, and that members of the public had already been getting in touch with the police to report possible sightings.
The Home Office is aware of the incident and being kept "fully updated". in a post on X, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "The loss of three women's lives in Bushey last night is truly shocking. My thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have been killed and with the community. I am being kept fully updated. I urge people to support (Hertfordshire Police) with any information about this case."
Neighbours expressed their shock after police, an ambulance crew and ground ambulances rushed to the £800,000 four-bed house. One neighbour, who gave his name as Riaz, said: "They are a middle class family. It is tragic and horrifying."
"There was a lot of activity from the police and ambulance last night - there were over a dozen cars. There was an air ambulance. The road was closed way past midnight. There is no access into the road." Riaz, who is in his late 50s and works in Telecoms, said: "It is a decent neighbourhood. It is mostly retired people and professionals living here."
Another neighbour of the family, who did not want to be named, said she did not know them well, but they were friendly. "We would see them every day passing by and they would say good morning. It's really sad what's happened, very shocking."
TV racing commentator Matt Chapman tweeted: "No words needed for what has happened to @HuntyCaller and family today. Impossible to comprehend the pain. Just know we are all here for you John. We love you pal - racing loves you."
A heartbreaking tribute to Louise on social media reads, according to MyLondon : "No words can describe the loss I feel after today's horrific news. You were so loved and Scooby adored you...you built up an amazing business and were always so kind and gentle. May you RIP with your sister and mum xxx."
Louise reportedly launched a dog grooming service during Covid lockdown named Groom and Glow, while her sister Hannah owned a beauty business, the website reported.
Local councillor Louise Nicolas posted on Facebook that she is "deeply saddened" by the "tragic news", offering her "heartfelt condolences to all those affected". She invited anyone who may be affected by the news to get in touch for support - adding that people should not take to Facebook to speculate on the ongoing investigation.
Laurence Brass, a local county councillor, told BBC News: "This is not something that happens in Bushey. We can't remember a murder in our rather quiet neck of the woods, so (it's a) terrible shock and our sympathies and prayers and thoughts are with the families of the three women.
"That really is a terrible thing to happen to anybody, and I've gathered they're all from the same family, which obviously makes it even more tragic, and we'll do everything we can as the local council to add our source of comfort where we can."
