BBC star John Hunt’s family’s desperate text message and 999 call before ‘crossbow murder’ by ex-soldier Kyle Clifford
BBC star John Hunt’s family sent a desperate final text message and frantically dialled 999 before being “murdered by crossbow killer Kyle Clifford”.
Carol Hunt, 61, and daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28, were allegedly tied up before being shot by the ex-soldier in Bushey, Hertfordshire on Tuesday.
Triple murder suspect Clifford, 26, was captured by cops yesterday evening after the horror on Ashlyn Close sparked a national manhunt.
Dramatic footage showed officers closing in on the alleged crossbow killer at Lavender Hill cemetery in Enfield, North London.
He was stretchered to an ambulance and remains in “a major trauma hospital” this morning with self-inflicted wounds.
The force confirmed no shots were fired by hero officers who snared the suspected triple murderer.
Chilling new details have now emerged from the brutal slaying.
Disturbing screams were heard in the quiet suburb as the alleged crossbow massacre unfolded at around 7pm.
It is understood one of the victims bravely managed to call cops as they struggled to alert the force the suspect had fled.
Another is believed to have sent a desperate text message to her partner for help, warning them to dial 999, as reported by The Guardian.
Carol, a mum-of-three and beloved member of the community, was allegedly discovered in the hallway.
It is understood BBC horse racing commentator John Hunt was informed of the unthinkable tragedy as he returned from work at Ling field Park.
This comes as Louise’s terrifying last post was revealed after she went through a “messy” breakup with Clifford, shortly before her alleged murder.
The breakup is understood to have been a traumatising time for the 25-year-old dog groomer.
She reportedly crashed her car into a lamp post, due to stress, and reposted a tweet about women who leave abusive relationships.
“I admire women who leave, idgaf if you left after the 1st time or the 12th time I admire s***!,” it read.
“Idgaf if ppl calling you dumb for 11 years but in the 12th year you decided you was done. It takes A LOT of strength to break a tie. It takes ALOT of self love to choose yo self”, it added.
A haunting photo also emerged yesterday showing the pair together.
Meanwhile, a local resident suggested Carol had been “concerned” about her daughter’s relationship and the breakup.
“She said her daughter’s split with her boyfriend was messy. Carol did not go into too much detail, but you could see she was concerned,” they claimed.
And, Glyn Nicholas, 77, who has lived on the same road as the victims for 50 years added: “Louise split up with her boyfriend a few days ago and she crashed her car into a telegraph pole because she was so upset coming home.
It comes as….
- A manhunt was 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 searched the Enfield area where Clifford is from after a car he is understood to have used was found
- Moment ‘crossbow killer Kyle Clifford flees scene’ with 3ft weapon
- Dramatic footage of armed police raid at Enfield property
- Moment ‘triple murder suspect Kyle Clifford’ is captured in cemetery
- ‘Crossbow killer’ Kyle Clifford’s brother is serving life for murder
“She’s a lovely, caring girl. She runs a dog grooming business in Bushey.
“Her sister Hannah and mother Carol are lovely as well. It’s all so sad. Louise was a sweet, lovely girl.
“They all were. This is so sad for everyone.”
The Hunts have another daughter, Amy, who lives in Birmingham.
‘HEARTBREAKING’
BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Mark Chapman last night sent his “love and thoughts” to fellow commentator and friend John Hunt after a “heartbreaking day”.
“This has been a heartbreaking day. John Hunt is our colleague and our friend, not just to the current Five Live Sport team but to all those who have worked with him over the past 20 years, and also to all of you who have enjoyed his superb commentaries,” he said.
“On behalf of everybody connected to Five Live Sport, our love and thoughts and support are with John and his family.”
Meanwhile, shocked neighbours have paid emotional tributes to the family.
How the CAPTURE Unfolded
FORMER soldier Kyle Clifford was captured hiding among the headstones of a cemetery after suffering a serious self-inflicted injury.
Footage showed him being taken away on a stretcher at teatime yesterday and put into an ambulance.
Clifford, 26, was driven to a nearby field where an air ambulance was waiting. It took him to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, East London, which deals with major trauma cases.
The end of the manhunt came in grim fashion in the surroundings of the graveyard close to Clifford’s home in Enfield, North London.
Police had been searching the area after his car was discovered there before going to Lavender Hill Cemetery at 2.30pm yesterday.
A search of the 20-acre Victorian site was carried out before Clifford was eventually found hiding around two hours later.
A police helicopter swirled above with a heat-seeking infra-red camera on board to detect suspects.
And a City of London Police armed incident unit was parked outside as the graveyard became the focus of the search.
Clips shared with The Sun show a string of armed officers looking between the headstones for Clifford.
Rae Cresswell, 26, who took the footage inside the graveyard while on a walk, said: “I was sat in the cemetery and saw the police come around. I was a bit worried if I should move.
“An armed police officer asked if I’d seen the news about the crossbow and asked if I would like to move. Eventually, I said I would just to save them the stress.
“Obviously if they have caught him it’s good, nobody wants someone like that on the loose.
“It’s probably shaken up the locals quite a lot. He’s a local lad. His family are well known around here. I don’t know how quickly they found him after they spoke to me but the idea I could have been close is quite shocking.”
Clifford was eventually found hiding in a quiet area of the site.
Police said no shots were fired and that he was receiving medical treatment “having been found with injuries”.
Flower bouquets and messages of support have been laid near the scene.
Local resident William Nourallah paid tribute to the “beautiful young girl”, Louise.
He said: “She was a gorgeous girl. She really was a young, hardworking girl.
“She was happy every time I saw her. We would have a laugh and a joke. She was a beautiful young girl. It’s a waste of a life.”
Louise Nicolas, Alan Matthews and Paul Richards, who are local councillors for the area, said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic news that three women have lost their lives in a violent incident which took place in the heart of our local community.
“As North Bushey councillors, we extend our thoughts and condolences to their families and all those affected.
“We would encourage anyone who has information relevant to the inquiry to contact police.”
Meanwhile, Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, has also announced she will urgently examine a ban on the sale of crossbows as weapons.
‘SIRENS AND SHOUTING’
Traumatised locals told yesterday how armed cops swarmed the quiet residential street.
Some reported up to 30 cops outside their homes with armed police telling people to “stay inside and keep doors shut”.
One resident said: “There were 11 police cars, an armed response unit, four ambulances and a fire engine.”
Someone else who lives in Ashlyn Close claimed they heard screaming as the “absolutely traumatic” horror unfolded.
The 46-year-old, who did not wish to share their name, explained: “It was between 6.30pm and 7pm last night and it literally just sounded like kids, somebody, screaming, and then it was more shrill and I was like, ‘that’s definitely a woman screaming’, and within 15 minutes, it was absolute chaos.
“We had armed police running down, screaming ‘stay in your house’…. they shut us off and basically put us into lockdown.
“It’s just absolutely traumatic.”
East of England Ambulance Service confirmed three ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, the Hazardous Area Response Team and two air ambulances were sent to the scene.
Cops' full statement
DI Justine Jenkins from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire major crime unit said: “This continues to be an incredibly difficult time for the victims’ family and we would ask that their privacy is respected as they come to terms with what has happened.
“This investigation is moving at pace and formal identification of the victims is yet to take place.”
She added: “Following extensive inquiries, the suspect has been located and nobody else is being sought in connection with the investigation at this time.
“We have had an overwhelming number of calls and would like to express our gratitude to the members of the public who have contacted us.”
A Home Office spokesperson added: “We keep legislation under constant review and a call for evidence was launched earlier this year to look at whether further controls on crossbows should be introduced.
“The home secretary will swiftly consider the findings to see if laws need to be tightened further.