A man suspected of killing the wife and daughters of a sports commentator for BBC Radio using a crossbow is receiving treatment in a hospital after being found injured in a cemetery about twenty-two kilometers from the crime scene. Police spent nearly a day searching for Kyle Clifford following the attack on Carol Hunt (61 years old) and her daughters Hannah (28 years old) and Louise (25 years old) at their home in Bushey, northwest London. Emergency services, which arrived at the cul-de-sac area on Tuesday evening, attempted to save them, but their deaths were pronounced at the scene.
After an intensive search in north London, Clifford (26 years old) was found on Wednesday in the Enfield area, near his home. Footage broadcast by a local television station showed the suspect being carried out from Lavender Hill Cemetery. Armed police officers, forensic teams, and ambulance crews gathered around the cemetery throughout the day. Police did not clarify how he was injured but confirmed that no gunshots were fired.
Detective Justin Jenkins from the Major Crime Unit of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire stated, "After extensive investigations, the suspect was located, and no other individuals are being sought concerning the investigation at this time." Police did not specify how or if Clifford was connected to the victims but indicated they believe the attack was targeted. Jenkins added that the investigation is progressing rapidly, and formal identification of the victims has not yet taken place.
Local media confirmed that the victims were family members of sports commentator John Hunt. Hunt is the lead race commentator for BBC Radio 5 Live, the BBC's main news and sports radio channel, and is known to millions for his coverage of the Grand National horse race and the Derby. Shocked neighbors gathered late Wednesday to lay flowers near the attack site.
Sue Kehinde, who lives nearby, described the family as "the loveliest and kindest family" and said, "They were the most humble people; they didn't deserve this. They were beautiful souls."
In Britain, there is no legal requirement to obtain a license to own a crossbow, but it is illegal to carry them in public without reasonable excuse. The newly elected Labour government, which took office last week, stated it would "quickly consider" the results of a recent review on whether restrictions on crossbow ownership should be tightened. UK Security Minister Dan Jarvis mentioned that Home Secretary Yvette Cooper would "clearly and with great attention look at what happened yesterday – devastating events – and would take a position in the near future."
