Ex-Soldier Admits to Grisly Crossbow Murders in Hertfordshire
Kyle Clifford, 26, has confessed to the savage killings of his ex-girlfriend, her sister, and their mother in a chilling crossbow attack last July in Bushey, Hertfordshire.
The victims — Louise Hunt, 25, her sister Hannah, 28, and their mother Carol Hunt, 61 — were viciously assaulted at their Ashlyn Close home in what prosecutors slammed as a “deliberate and premeditated act.”
Brutal Details of the Attack
- Clifford, a former military man, bound Louise Hunt’s arms and ankles with duct tape before shooting her in the chest with a crossbow bolt, killing her instantly.
- He then struck her sister Hannah, who was found alive with a bolt in her chest but later died from the injury.
- Their mother, Carol, suffered multiple stab wounds during the violent spree.
Police were alerted after Hannah bravely called 999, saying she had been shot and feared for her life. Clifford fled but was later found injured in Lavender Hill Cemetery, Enfield, having tried to take his own life with the same crossbow.
Guilty Plea and Court Drama
During a Cambridge Crown Court hearing via video link, Clifford admitted three counts of murder, false imprisonment, and possessing offensive weapons — the crossbow and a knife.
He denied raping Louise Hunt; that charge will be tried separately later this year.
Clifford remains in custody awaiting sentencing.
Family Left Devastated
The tragedy has shattered BBC racing commentator John Hunt and his daughter Amy, who survive the attack. In a heartfelt statement, John Hunt said:
“The devastation we are experiencing cannot be put into words. Amy has been magnificently inspirational, and we are trying to find strength in the love and kindness extended to us during this dark time.”
Calls to Tighten Crossbow Laws
The shocking murders have reignited demands for stricter crossbow regulation in the UK. Currently, no licensing is required to own a crossbow, and they remain easy to buy online. The Home Office confirmed it is reviewing crossbow laws amid growing public concern.
Community in Shock
The Bushey community is reeling from the horror, flooding the grieving family with tributes and support. The case has sparked urgent debates over domestic violence and the need for tougher controls on dangerous weapons.
For now, the Hunts are focusing on healing with help from friends, family, and a grieving but supportive community.
