Yahoo News Sisters and mum made 999 call and text as horror details emerge of Bushey crossbow killings
The victims in a horrific triple murder desperately called 999 and sent a heartbreaking text message before they were brutally killed, it has emerged.
Louise Hunt, 25, her mother Carol, 61, and sister Hannah, 28, were killed in a terrifying attack at their family home in Bushey in Hertfordshire on Tuesday. The three women were the wife and daughters of BBC Five Live racing commentator John Hunt.
Suspect Kyle Clifford, 26, was being hunted by police on Wednesday in connection with the crossbow killings. He was found with injuries in a cemetery just yards from his Enfield home yesterday afternoon.
READ NEXT: Louise Hunt's heartbreaking final tweet on 'strength to leave' before Bushey crossbow murders
He was taken to a major trauma centre for treatment. No shots were fired by officers and no arrests have been made yet, a spokesperson for Hertfordshire Police said.
Chilling new details on the brutal killings have now emerged. 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.
She re-posted the message on X which read: "I admire women who leave. idgaf if you left after the 1st time or the 12th time I admire that s--t! idgaf if ppl was calling you dumb for 11 years but in the 12th year you decided you was done.
"it takes ALOT of strength to break a tie. it takes ALOT of self love to choose yo self," the re-shared message added. In the lead-up to the devastating event, Louise had been visibly distressed by the end of her relationship, which even resulted in a car accident, according to reports.
Neighbour Glyn Nicholas, 77, told MailOnline the split deeply affected Louise. "Louise was a very nice girl. She ran a dog grooming business from the house. I heard that she split from a boyfriend last week and was very upset about it. So much so that she was driving home at some point last week and drove into a wooden telegraph pole not far from the house."
Glyn continued, revealing the extent of the crash's impact: "Another dog groomer - who is a friend of Louise's - told me that her car door had caved in because of the crash.
"Who the boyfriend was, I don't know, I never saw him.."
Neighbours recalled hearing screaming on Tuesday night as the 'traumatic' incident unfolded. In a press conference before Clifford was found, Chief Superintendent Jon Simpson from Hertfordshire Police told reporters the killings were believed to have been 'targeted'.
During the manhunt for the suspect, who is understood to have left the Army in 2022 following a short stint, the force said they believed he may have been armed with a crossbow and warned the public not to approach him.
He was believed to have been known to the victims. 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."
Neighbours laying flowers at the scene in Bushey on Wednesday described the family as 'beautiful souls'. A friend of Louise Hunt, who knew her from their time at school, told BBC News she was 'always a positive person' and that he could not think of 'anything bad to say about her'.
The Home Secretary is urgently considering whether tougher crossbow laws are needed in the wake of the killings. Yvette Cooper 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."
