THE accused 'crossbow killer' and his ex-girlfriend Louise Hunt had broken up just days before he allegedly murdered her along with her mum and sister.
BBC Five Live racing commentator John Hunt's 61-year-old wife Carol, and daughters Hannah and Louise were pronounced dead at their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, last night.
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The three women - aged 25, 28, and 61 - were found fighting for their lives with serious injuries at around 7pm after what cops say was a targeted attack.
Detectives launched an urgent manhunt for suspect Kyle Clifford, 26, who is believed to be the ex-boyfriend of Louise Hunt.
Now, a new photo showing Clifford with his arm around Louise when they were together has emerged as cops continue to hunt the streets.
What we know so far...
Read more on UK news
- Amanhunt has been launchedafter three women were found 'murdered' in a home in Bushey
- The victims are thewife and daughters of a BBC star
- It is believed suspect Kyle Clifford is the ex-boyfriend of one of the women
- Police are searching the Enfield area where Clifford is from after a car he is understood to have used was found
- Footage shows Clifford 'fleeing home with crossbow'
John, who has worked for the BBC station for the past two decades, had been working on Tuesday, the Telegraph reported.
He had been at Lingfield Park Racecourse in Surrey yesterday before returning home in the evening to discover the horror that had unfolded.
The trio tragically died at the scene despite medics' best efforts.
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The Beeb told staff today it was "utterly devastated" by the deaths.
Dramatic footage obtained exclusively by The Sun this afternoon appeared to show Clifford stalking the streets last night with a crossbow under his arm.
The clip shows a man carrying a three-foot object under his right arm - covered by a sheet - as he strides from an alleyway leading to the property where the women werekilled.
Another video obtained exclusively by us showed cops storming a home in the hunt for the suspect.
Two helicopters were spotted circling the Hilly Fields area of Enfield, North London, as armed police stormed a home.
One officer can be heard screaming: “Armed Police, come to the door and raise your hands” as cops barrage through the front of the property.
It is unclear who or what cops discovered in the home but at least two officers are still at the scene of the raid.
A source said: “It’s a really heavy response — and shocking for everyone to see.
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“They charged in and spent quite a while in the home. It didn’t seem like anyone was there."
Hertfordshire Police confirmedClifford, who is from Enfield in North London, may still be armed and urged anyone who sees him to call 999 immediately.
They also said he may still have the crossbow and other weapons believed to have been used in the attack.
Appealing directly to Clifford today, Detective Superintendent Rob Hall from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire MajorCrimeUnit said: "Kyle, if you are seeing or hearing this please make contact with police via 999."
Herts Police have told anyone who was in Ashlyn Close from lunchtime yesterday to come forward to call 101 quoting Op Infauna.
DSI Rob Hall said: “This is an incredibly difficult incident for the victims’ family and we would ask that their privacy is respected as they come to terms with what has happened.
“Whilst we are still in the early stages of this investigation, we are actively seeking Kyle Clifford who we believe could be in the areas of Hertfordshire or NorthLondon.
“Given the serious nature of the incident, I would ask anyone who knows where he is to contact police immediately.
We had armed police running down, screaming ‘stay in your house’…. they shut us off and basically put us into lockdown.
Neighbour
"If you believe you see him, please do not approach him and dial 999 straight away. He may still be in possession of a weapon."
It comes after horrified neighbours told of hearing screams last night - while others paid tribute.
Shocked locals said Louise ran a dog grooming business called Groom and Glow from the detached house in a cul-de-sac.
Local resident William Nourallah paid tribute to the "beautiful young girl".
He said: "She was a gorgeous girl. She really was a young, hardworking girl. I met the mum once or twice because she opened the door for me. I met the father.
"She was happy every time I saw her. We would have a laugh and a joke. She was a beautiful young girl. It's a waste of a life."
Francis Turner told The Sun of the horror unfolding last night: "My husband and I were watching the football when we heard sirens and shouting. There were around 30 policemen outside.
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“There were armed police. They came and knocked on our door and told us to stay inside and keep our doors shut.
"My heart goes out to them. I feel very sad for the family, my heart goes out to them.”
One neighbour, who didn't want to be named, said they heard screaming before "at least 16 police cars" swooped on the scene.
They added: "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.”
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Another local Dereck Turner, who took a photo of armed cops outside, said: "It’s a very quiet and peaceful area, it’s close to everything, when a house comes up it’s gone.”
- Additional reporting by Mike Sullivan and Thomas Godfrey
Cops' latest statement
IN their latest update, Superintendent Jon Simpson confirmed the force believe the horror was "a targeted incident".
"Police were called to a property in Ashlyn close just before 7pm last night. Officers attended alongside colleagues from the East of England Ambulance Service and on arrival found three women with serious injuries.
"Sadly despite their best efforts the women, who are believed to be related, died a short time later at the scene.
"The victims are ages 25, 28, and 61. Our over arching objective today is to protect public safety and 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 the Bushey area of Hertfordshire.
"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.
"If members of the public see Kyle Clifford they are urged not to approach him at any point and dial 999 immediately.
"Kyle if you are seeing or hearing this please make contact with police via 999.
"Upon an immediate search operation a major crime inquiry has been launched and we also appeal to the public for any information in relation to the incident.
"This incident will of course be of concern to local residents. Additional local officers will be in the area today."
You can report information online, speak to an operator in the Force Communications Room via their online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting Op Infauna.
Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form.
