Hertfordshire Horror: Mother and Two Daughters Slain in Crossbow Attack
The Shocking Scene
Bushey, Hertfordshire, was rocked by a brutal triple murder in a quiet cul-de-sac. Louise Hunt, 25, her sister Hannah, 28, and their mother Carol, 61, were viciously attacked and killed at home. The alleged killer, 26-year-old Kyle Clifford, reportedly used a crossbow following a messy breakup with Louise.
Neighbours were horrified around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday evening when they heard blood-curdling screams from Ashlyn Close. Initially thought to be a child in distress, the cries were from the three women desperately fighting for their lives. They were tied up and shot with a three-foot crossbow inside their own home.
Emergency services arrived swiftly, but all three were pronounced dead at the scene. Their husband and father, BBC horse racing commentator John Hunt, was informed as he returned from work at Lingfield Park.
Manhunt for the Crossbow Killer
Kyle Clifford, a former soldier, was seen fleeing the scene carrying the crossbow hidden under a white sheet. Neighbours described him calmly walking away, and a nearby doorbell camera caught him lugging a heavy bag—possibly packed with more weapons.
Police launched a nationwide manhunt, naming Clifford publicly as armed and dangerous and warning the public not to approach him. Clifford had briefly served in the Queen’s Dragoon Guards and had ended his relationship with Louise just a week before the massacre.
Capture and Crisis
The hunt ended at Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield, where Clifford was found with self-inflicted wounds. Armed officers and paramedics quickly intervened, and he was rushed to Royal London Hospital for treatment.
Community in Mourning
The quiet neighbourhood is left reeling. Louise ran a dog grooming business from home and had been visibly distressed after the breakup, even crashing her car a few days prior. Her sister Hannah, a popular local beautician, was known for her radiant smile and hardworking nature.
John Hunt is reportedly heartbroken. The BBC expressed its support and the British Horseracing Authority extended condolences, pledging to stand by him in this dark hour.
A Troubled Family Past
The Clifford family’s dark history adds to the tragedy. Kyle’s older brother, Bradley Clifford, was convicted of murder six years ago after a fatal assault in Enfield and is now serving a life sentence.
Neighbours Pay Tribute
The community has rallied around the Hunt family, leaving flowers and heartfelt messages outside the home. Neighbour Su Kehinde called them “beautiful souls who did not deserve such a fate.”
This shocking stabbing and manhunt have left a lasting scar on Bushey. Police continue investigations as the community seeks answers.
