Former Soldier Charged With Triple Murder
Kyle Clifford, a 26-year-old former British soldier, has been charged with the brutal murders of Carol Hunt and her two daughters, Hannah and Louise Hunt, in Bushey, Hertfordshire, in July 2024. The tragic incident shocked the local community and led Hertfordshire police to a surprising suspect.
Community in Shock
Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters, Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were found with severe injuries at their home on the evening of July 9. Despite efforts from emergency services, all three women were declared dead at the scene. The discovery left family, friends, and neighbors in disbelief, as many described the Hunt family as kind, friendly, and hardworking individuals who were well-known in the community.
Tributes poured in for the family, with BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Mark Chapman emotionally paying tribute to his colleague John Hunt, a BBC racing commentator and the husband and father of the victims, calling it a "heartbreaking day." The sentiment was echoed by former footballer Michael Owen, who posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, expressing his horror at the tragedy.
Arrest and Charges
Clifford, who served with the Queen's Dragoon Guards, left the Army two years ago after a brief service period. He was apprehended on July 10 in Enfield, where armed police, responding to a tip, closed off the Lavender Hill Cemetery and captured Clifford without any shots fired. He was found with injuries and was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment.
After his recovery, Clifford was formally charged with three counts of murder, as well as false imprisonment and possession of offensive weapons. The weapons in question were a 10-inch butcher's knife and a compound crossbow. In court, it was revealed that Louise Hunt had been tied to a chair, and both she and her sister Hannah were shot with a crossbow, while their mother Carol suffered multiple stab wounds.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Grief
Clifford appeared remotely before Westminster Magistrates' Court, where the charges were read. He was denied bail and remanded in custody pending his next appearance at the Central Criminal Court.
The police investigation, led by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, has been working meticulously to gather evidence and establish the full details of the events that unfolded that evening.
As the case progresses, the Hunt family and their community continue to grapple with the unimaginable loss. Lisa Ramsarran of the Crown Prosecution Service expressed sympathy for the grieving family, emphasizing the need for justice as the judicial process moves forward. Meanwhile, tributes and messages of support continue to flood in, offering solace in the face of such an overwhelming tragedy.
References: Triple killing suspect captured near cemetery | Kyle Clifford appears in court charged with murdering Carol, Hannah and Louise Hunt
