John Hunt family: Tributes to ‘loveliest, gentlest’ wife and daughters of BBC star after crossbow killings

Emotional tributes have been paid to a mom and her two daughters killed in a crossbow assault in Hertfordshire, with pals, neighbours and colleagues describing them because the “loveliest, gentlest” household.

Shocked residents left flowers on the scene in Ashlyn Shut as they spoke of their horror, paying tribute to the spouse and daughters of BBC racing commentator John Hunt as “essentially the most light, stunning household”, who is known to have a 3rd daughter.

Carol Hunt, 61, together with Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, was found with deadly wounds at their residence in Bushey on Tuesday, with 26-year-old suspect Kyle Clifford tracked down by police at Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield the next night after an intensive manhunt.

Detectives have but to talk to Clifford, who stays in a severe situation in hospital, however a crossbow has been recovered.

Hertfordshire Constabulary confirmed it had obtained no earlier reviews of incidents, after exploring whether or not there had been earlier contact with Clifford or the victims – because it emerged Louise was the ex-partner of the suspect.

Throughout his journey to the Nato summit in Washington DC, prime minister Sir Keir Starmer informed the BBC: “First let me simply say how terrible this incident was, and our condolences and ideas are clearly with the entire members of the family and household affected.

“In relation to crossbows, the house secretary has introduced that she’s going to have a look at the laws, and she’s going to.”

On Thursday, additional searches passed off at a home linked to Clifford’s brother, Bradley Clifford, who was jailed for all times with a minimal time period of 23 years for the homicide of moped passenger Soban Khan in 2018.

Based on the Metropolitan Police, on the time of the homicide Bradley Clifford had focused the moped earlier than crashing into it, and continued to assault Mr Khan after the collision.

Officers had been seen on the handle in Rendlesham Street, Enfield, in relation to the deaths.

One tribute left on the scene learn: “Hannah, Louise and Carol, I want none of this was actual. I want I may hug you all, and let you know how a lot you meant to me. I want you possibly can hug one another. Love you endlessly.”

One other learn: “Phrases can not categorical how devastated I’m that you just’re gone. Essentially the most light stunning household. Without end liked.”

A buddy of Louise – who ran a canine grooming enterprise – stated she was “at all times a constructive particular person” and that he couldn’t consider “something unhealthy to say about her”.

In an interview with BBC Information, he stated: “I knew Louise again from college days and she or he was actually candy, very type, at all times a constructive particular person. I can’t consider something unhealthy to say about her – a extremely pretty particular person all spherical, an excellent hard-working particular person.”

Luisa, one other of Louise’s pals, used her canine grooming enterprise and stated she would typically ship her footage of her canine asleep throughout grooming, telling Sky Information: “That’s how a lot of an exquisite, enjoyable particular person Louise was”.

Lea Holloway, 60, stated she had identified Carol since she was 16, telling reporters outdoors St James’ Church after a vigil on Thursday morning: “We grew up collectively and had been pregnant on the identical time. That is the stuff nightmares are product of.

“I used to be there the night time she met John. It was in a nightclub in Hemel Hempstead. We went out collectively, went to birthdays and occasions. It’s very tough. She was the nicest, kindest, sweetest particular person you possibly can ever meet. A stupendous particular person.”

BBC Radio 5 Dwell presenter Mark Chapman choked up with tears as he despatched his “love and ideas” to his fellow commentator and buddy in the beginning of the Euro 2024 pre-match present on Wednesday night.

“This has been a heartbreaking day,” he informed listeners. “John Hunt is our colleague and our buddy, not simply to the present 5 Dwell sport group however to all of those that have labored right here with him over the previous 20 years and likewise to all of you who’ve loved his excellent commentaries.

“On behalf of everyone linked to five Dwell sport, our love and ideas and help are with John and his household.”

BBC racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght added: “There aren’t any phrases. Like everybody else, I really feel numb and sick on John’s behalf at such incomprehensible evil.

“Everybody who is aware of John is aware of he is absolutely the archetypal household man, so happy with them, so it’s not possible to know what he might be going by means of.

“However I do know I’m talking for the entire racing neighborhood and the entire wider sports activities media neighborhood as effectively, each of which he’s been a part of for thus lengthy, once I say everyone seems to be sending sympathy, love and help to him. It’s simply terrible.”

Hannah Hunt’s colleagues on the Anti-Ageing Clinic in Radlett paid tribute to the 28-year-old as a “unbelievable” therapist who had been fashionable with prospects.

In a put up on Fb, employees on the clinic assist: “It’s with deep remorse and disappointment of the horrific homicide on Tuesday night time of our pores and skin therapist Hannah.

“She was a unbelievable therapist and shoppers liked her. We ship our condolences and prayers to her Dad, sister and household. She was very a lot part of our group. Please bear with us at this horrible time.”

Neighbour Su Kehinde, 60, who laid flowers at a makeshift tribute within the space on Wednesday, stated: “They had been the loveliest, gentlest household. They had been the meekest human beings. They didn’t deserve this. They had been stunning souls.”

Her daughter April, aged 32, stated that Hannah “at all times had a smile” and was “hard-working, a tough grafter and actually light”.

Glyn Nicholas, 77, who has lived on the identical street because the victims for 50 years, stated: “They had been a non-public household, all very good, a non-public household. All of them did their very own issues. Louise began a enterprise a few years in the past, and it was a thriving enterprise – all of us took our canines there to be groomed.”

Extra reporting by PA