Kyle Clifford charged with murdering BBC racing commentator John Hunt’s wife and daughters

Kyle Clifford has been charged with the murder of the wife and two daughters of BBC racing commentator John Hunt, who were killed in a crossbow attack at their Bushey home.

Clifford, 26, has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday following the incident in Hertfordshire on July 9.

Carol Hunt, 61, and two of her and Mr Hunt’s daughters, Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were found fatally injured at the family home in Ashlyn Close.

Kyle Clifford, 26, has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (PA Wire)

Clifford has been charged with three counts of murder, unlawful confinement and two counts of possession of offensive weapons, Hertfordshire Police said on Tuesday.

Police had not been able to speak to the suspect until now, as he was being treated for an injury in hospital.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Gardner, of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “Our thoughts are with the Hunt family and their loved ones as they continue to cope with their loss.

“Over the last two months we have worked hard to gather as much evidence as possible and establish all the circumstances of what happened that day.

Pictures left at floral tributes in Ashlyn Close, Bushey, where Carol Hunt, 61, the wife of BBC 5Live racing commentator John Hunt, and two of their daughters, Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were killed in a crossbow attack (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Wire)

“Today we were successful in securing charges against Kyle Clifford in connection with the murders of Carol, Hannah and Louise Hunt.

“Although it has taken some time to get to this point, we can now move forward with the legal process and seek justice for their family.”

Clifford, of Rendlesham Road, Enfield, north London, will appear in court remotely on Tuesday and has been under arrest since July 10, police said.

Lisa Ramsarran, chief prosecutor at the Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said: “Our thoughts are with the Hunt family and all those affected by this tragic incident.”

A view of police at the scene in Bushey in July (PA)

After losing three family members, Mr Hunt and his third daughter Amy said their devastation “cannot be expressed in words”.

In the statement released in July, the two men also described the aftermath of the attack as “an extremely difficult time for us.”

Friends, family and colleagues paid tribute to the Hunts, praising them as “the sweetest, most beautiful family.”

Hannah’s boyfriend Alex Klein remembered the “love of my life” in a social media post and shared a photo of the couple together. He said: “Rest in peace love of my life, I will never forget you, you were stolen from me too soon. The greatest light in my life. My brave queen for life. Until we meet again… I love you Hansy.”

BBC and ITV presenters were among those to pay tribute to the family, with Radio 5 Live host Mark Chapman sending his love to Mr Hunt and his family ahead of coverage of England’s Euro 2024 semi-final this summer.

A visibly moved Mr Chapman said: “John Hunt is our colleague and friend, not just to the current team at 5 Live Sports, but to everyone who has worked here with him over the last 20 years, and also to all of you who have enjoyed his superb commentary. So on behalf of everyone connected with 5 Live Sports, our love, thoughts and support goes out to John and his family.”