Who are John Hunt’s family killed in Bushey’s crossbow attack?

Tributes have been paid to the three victims of the Bushey crossbow murders – as the triple murder suspect was arrested by police in hospital.

Hannah Hunt, 28, along with sister Louise, 25, and their mother Carol were named as victims of a crossbow attack at their home. Carol, 61, who was married to BBC Five Live racing commentator John Hunt, and two of their daughters were killed in Ashlyn Close, Bushey, Hertfordshire, on Tuesday night.

Triple murder suspect Kyle Clifford was detained by police at a cemetery in Enfield, north London, on Wednesday night and remains in hospital after being found with injuries. He remains in a “serious” condition but Hertfordshire Police confirmed on Friday morning that he had been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Hertfordshire Police also said the killings were believed to be “targeted” and that they had recovered a crossbow.

Who are the victims?

Hannah appeared on her social media profile as a beauty and skin therapist who ran her own business, Hannah Grace Aesthetics, in Bushey.

Her partner Alex Klein said Hannah was the “love of my life” as he paid tribute to her in a social media post. Sharing an emotional photo of the pair on Instagram, Alex said: ‘BREAK the love of my life, I’ll never forget you, stolen from me too soon. The brightest light in my life. My brave queen for life. Until we meet again. … I love you Hansy.”

Her colleague Carolina Brennan, from the Anti-Ageing Clinic in St Albans, paid tribute in an Instagram post. She wrote: “It is with deep regret and sadness at the horrific killing on Tuesday night of our skin therapist Hannah. She was a fantastic therapist and the clients loved her. Our condolences and prayers to her father, sister and family. a very important part of our team. Please take care of us at this terrible time.”

According to her social media, Louise started her own dog grooming business called Groom and Glow in September 2020.

Numerous comments on the company’s Instagram account paid tribute, saying: “Me and my dog ​​Lola will miss Louise so much. Such a beautiful young lady, both inside and out. My heart goes out to the family. RIP Louise, your sister and mum it’s too much to understand what has happened to such a lovely family.”

Local resident William Nourallah paid tribute to Louise, describing her as a “beautiful young lady”.

He told MailOnline: ‘She was a gorgeous girl. She really was a young and hardworking girl. I met my mother once or twice because she opened the door for me. I met the father. She was happy every time I saw her. We would laugh and make a joke. She was a beautiful young girl. It’s a waste of life.”

Three close friends of Carol Hunt said they were “together in grief”. Dionne Smith, 58, Abigail Phillips, 58, and Lea Holloway, 60, told a press conference outside St James’s Church, Bushey, on Thursday: ‘He was a lovely, lovely person. We can’t believe what happened.

“There were four, and now there are only three. It doesn’t seem real. We are together in pain.”

Describing the family, Lea Holloway added: “They were a lovely family and (the daughters) were lovely girls. They were making their way through life and their lives were taken too soon. It’s the stuff of nightmares. I feel for their oldest daughter and for John (Hunt). I can’t imagine what that would be like.”

Glyn Nicholas, 77, who is a neighbor of the Hunts, described them as a “very close-knit” family.

He told the Telegraph: “I know one of the daughters because she is our dog sitter. All of our daughters have groomed their dogs with Louise. She knew my wife, but I didn’t know the other daughter at all.”

He added: “They were a private family, all very nice, a private family. Everyone did their thing. Louise started a business a few years ago and it has been a thriving business – we have all taken our dogs there to be groomed.

Condolences from the racing world

As part of a note sent to BBC 5 Live staff on Wednesday, Mr Hunt’s employer, the BBC, described the incident as “utterly devastating”.

The note added: “Our thoughts are with John and his family at this incredibly difficult time and we will offer all the support we can.”

Radio 5 Live presenter Mark Chapman also paid an emotional tribute at the start of the Euro 2024 pre-match show.

Speaking through tears, he said: “It’s been a heartbreaking day. John Hunt is our colleague and friend, not just to the current 5 Live sports team, but to everyone who has worked here with him over the past 20 years and also to all of you who have enjoyed his superb commentary.

“On behalf of everyone connected to 5 Live Sport, our love, thoughts and support are with John and his family.”

BBC racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght said: “Like everyone else, I feel numb and sick on behalf of John at such incomprehensible harm. Everyone who knows John knows he’s the quintessential family man, so proud of them, so it’s impossible to know what he might be going through.”

ITV racing commentator Matt Chapman wrote in an entry on X: “No words needed for what happened to @HuntyCaller and family today. Impossible to understand the pain. Just know we are all here for you John. We love you mate – racing loves you.”

The Amateur Jockeys’ Association of Great Britain and Beverley Racecourse, among others, sent their sympathies.

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