Yahoo News 'It doesn't seem real... it's the thing of nightmares': Heartbroken friends pay tribute to Bushey victims
Heartbroken friends and colleagues of the three women who were murdered in a crossbow attack in Hertfordshire have said they 'can't believe what has happened'.
Hannah Hunt, 28, her sister Louise, 25, and their mum Carol, 61, were brutally killed at their family home on Ashlyn Close in Bushey on Tuesday evening. The three women were the wife and daughters of BBC Five Live racing commentator John Hunt.
Triple murder suspect Kyle Clifford, 26, is in hospital after being found injured during a huge manhunt on Wednesday for the alleged killer. Tributes are now pouring in for the victims, with friends saying they can't imagine' how John and his eldest daughter are feeling following the loss of their wife and daughter, and mum and sisters.
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A childhood friend of Carol described her as a 'beautiful person'. Lea Holloway, 60, said she had known her since she was 16.
Speaking outside St James’ Church on Thursday after a vigil for the three women, she said: "We grew up together and were pregnant at the same time. This is the stuff nightmares are made of.
"I was there the night she met John (Hunt). It was in a nightclub in Hemel Hempstead. We went out together, went to birthdays and events. It’s very difficult.
"She was the nicest, kindest, sweetest person you could ever meet. A beautiful person."
She added that the Hunts 'were a lovely family' who have had their lives 'taken too soon'. "They were a lovely family and (the daughters) were lovely girls", Lea said.
"They were making their way through life and their lives have been taken too soon. It’s the thing of nightmares. I feel for their eldest daughter and John (Hunt). I can’t imagine what it would be like."
Two other close friends Dionne Smith, 58 and Abigail Phillips, 58, said they were 'together in grief' with Lea, with the group previously being part of a four with Carol. They told a press gathering outside the vigil: "She was a lovely, lovely person.
"We can’t believe what happened. We were a four, and now there’s only three. It doesn’t seem real. We are together in grief."
Hannah's colleagues also paid tribute to a 'fantastic therapist'. In a post on Facebook, The Anti-Ageing Clinic based in Radlett, Hertfordshire, said it was with 'deep regret and sadness' that they learned of the 'horrific murder on Tuesday night of our skin therapist Hannah'.
The tribute continued: "She was a fantastic therapist and clients loved her. We send our condolences and prayers to her Dad, sister and family.
"She was very much a part of our team. Please bear with us at this terrible time."
On Thursday, further searches took place at a house linked to Clifford’s brother, Bradley Clifford, who was jailed for life with a minimum term of 23 years for the murder of moped passenger Soban Khan in 2018.
According to the Metropolitan Police, at the time of the murder, Bradley Clifford had targeted the moped before crashing into it, and continued to assault Mr Khan after the collision. Officers were seen at the address in Rendlesham Road, Enfield, north London, in relation to the deaths.
Police staff wearing gloves and face masks were seen outside the property, which was first searched on Wednesday. Kyle Clifford was found injured in Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield, north London, on Wednesday and was taken to a major trauma centre for treatment.
Police said no shots had been fired by officers and no arrest had yet been made. Footage from Sky News appeared to show Clifford being stretchered out of the cemetery by paramedics.
Chilling details on the brutal killings emerged earlier, as it was revealed how one of the victims had desperately called 999 and alerted the police to the incident before the suspect fled, according to The Guardian.
One of the women is also understood to have texted her partner, urging them to call the police. It was thought Louise and suspect Clifford were previously romantically linked, with the 25-year-old victim sharing a tweet about praising' 'women who leave' and having 'strength' before her death.
In a note sent to BBC 5 Live staff after the deaths, the broadcaster said: "The news today about John Hunt’s family is utterly devastating. Our thoughts are with John and his family at this incredibly difficult time and we will provide him with 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: "This has been a heartbreaking day.
"John Hunt is our colleague and our friend, not just to the current 5 Live sport team but to all of those who have worked here with him over the past 20 years and also to all of you who have enjoyed his superb commentaries. On behalf of everybody connected to 5 Live sport, our love and thoughts and support are with John and his family."
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is urgently considering whether tougher crossbow laws are needed in the wake of the killings. She will look at the findings of a Home Office review carried out earlier this year.
A Home Office spokeswoman said: “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.”
