Hunted Kyle Clifford was ‘immature’ private who dropped out of Army weeks before ‘killing BBC star’s wife & 2 daughters’
A TRIPLE murder suspect has been revealed as an “immature” ex-private who dropped out the Army before killing a BBC star’s wife and her daughters.
Kyle Clifford is at the centre of a huge manhunt after Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28, were found dead at home in Bushey, Hertfordshire.
The Sun can now reveal the 26-year-old had served briefly in the Armed Forces before the “targeted” attack last night.
Clifford was a trooper – the equivalent to a private – in the Queen’s Dragoon Guards.
A picture shows him in his Army gear with camo face paint posing with a gun.
A former boss from early in his career said the murder suspect dropped out after joining the Household Cavalry Regiment.
What we know so far…
- A manhunt has been launched after three women were found ‘murdered’ in a home in Bushey
- The victims are the wife 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‘
He added: “Clifford joined the Army in 2019 and I was his Troop Commander from Basic Training.
“When he joined the Army he was immature for his age and had a bit of a chip on his shoulder.
“He struggled to grasp basic military concepts but managed to reach the standard to pass out from training.
“After passing out he joined the Household Cavalry Regiment but I’m unsure how his career developed from there. I hear he was working in private security so would indicate that he is no longer in the military.”
The horror unfolded on Tuesday night at around 7pm when armed cops swarmed the quiet residential street.
Carol and her daughters, aged 25 and 28, were discovered dead inside the family home.
The mum is married to BBC Five Live racing commentator John Hunt.
He had been working at Lingfield Park Racecourse in Surrey yesterday before returning home to find his family dead.
Police later confirmed a manhunt had been launched for Clifford and urged the public not to approach him.
Officers said the suspect, from Enfield in North London, could still be armed and in possession of a crossbow.
They also revealed he may have used other weapons in the targeted attack.
Dramatic raids were carried out at a home in Enfield as the hunt for the alleged killer widened.
Two helicopters were spotted circling the Hilly Fields area as armed officers stormed a property on Rendlesham Road.
St Michael’s Primary School in Enfield was also put on lockdown as the hunt continued.
Meanwhile, dramatic footage appeared to show Clifford in Ashlyn Close leaving the family home with a 3ft crossbow.
He then climbed into a black Seat which is understood to have been found abandoned.
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 North London.
“Given the serious nature of the incident, I would ask anyone who knows where he is to contact police immediately.
“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.”
- Additional reporting by Rob Pattison, Thomas Godfrey and Dan Hammond