Yahoo News Manhunt launched after wife and daughters of BBC commentator killed in crossbow attack
A manhunt has been launched for the suspected killer of the wife and two daughters of a BBC sports commentator after they were killed in a crossbow attack at their home.
Carol Hunt, 61, who was married to BBC 5 Live racing commentator John Hunt, and two of their daughters, aged 25 and 28, died in Ashlyn Close, Bushey, Hertfordshire, on Tuesday evening, the PA news agency reports. Police have appealed to members of the public for help in tracing 26-year-old suspect Kyle Clifford, who is believed to be armed and in Hertfordshire or north London.
Armed police searched a home in Rendlesham Road, Enfield, on Wednesday morning as the hunt for Clifford continued, and the public have been warned not to approach him as he may be in possession of a crossbow. Chief Superintendent Jon Simpson from Hertfordshire Police told reporters in a press conference on Wednesday that the murders are believed to be "targeted".
He said: "Our overarching objective today is to protect public safety and to locate Kyle Clifford, who is wanted in connection with the murder of the three women in what we believe is a targeted incident. We have extensive police resources deployed to various locations in north London and also the Bushey area.
"The manhunt also involves armed police officers and specialist search teams responding at pace in the wake of what has been a horrific incident involving what is currently believed to be a crossbow, but other weapons may also have been used."
Addressing Clifford directly, he added: "Kyle, if you are seeing or hearing this, please make contact with the police." The force said it is looking at whether the force had contact with the victims or Clifford before the killings.
One neighbour, who asked not to be named, described hearing screams from the suburban home where the three women died on Tuesday, telling the PA news agency: "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," she added. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she is being kept fully updated about the inquiry into the "truly shocking" deaths.
The BBC confirmed that Mr Hunt's wife and two daughters had died in a post on the broadcaster's news website, leading to an outpouring of tributes posted on social media by figures from the racing world. ITV racing commentator Matt Chapman wrote on X: "No words needed for what has happened to @HuntyCaller and family today. Impossible to comprehend the pain. Just know we are all here for you John. We love you pal – racing loves you."
