Police find man suspected of murdering three women in crossbow attack in UK – The Irish Times

A triple murder suspect has been found following the crossbow shooting deaths of a BBC racing commentator’s wife and two daughters in Hertfordshire, eastern England.

Kyle Clifford (26) was found on Wednesday afternoon in the Enfield district of north London, police said.

They said he was receiving medical treatment after being found with injuries.

Police said no shots were fired.

Mr Clifford was wanted in connection with the deaths of Carol Hunt (61), the wife of BBC racing commentator John Hunt, and their two daughters Hannah (28) and Louise (25) in the town of Bushey in Hertfordshire.

The police assume that the victims knew him.

Detective Inspector Justine Jenkins, of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Serious Crime Unit, said: “This continues to be an incredibly difficult time for the families of the victims and we ask that their privacy is respected while they come to terms with what has happened.

“The investigation is progressing rapidly, but formal identification of the victims is still pending.

“After extensive investigations, the suspect has been located and no one else is currently being sought in connection with the investigation.”

Footage obtained by Sky News appears to show Mr Clifford being carried on a stretcher out of Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield.

Previously, numerous armed police officers and paramedics had gathered at the cemetery, which is located near the site where a house was searched.

The cemetery was cordoned off and a rescue helicopter was spotted nearby.

A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Ambulance crews and London Rescue Helicopters attended an incident at Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield this afternoon. We treated a man at the scene and transported him to a major trauma centre.”

In a press conference before Mr Clifford was located, Chief Superintendent Jon Simpson of Hertfordshire Police told reporters the killings were believed to be “targeted”.

During the manhunt for the suspect, police believed he may have been armed with a crossbow and warned the public not to approach him.

In a statement to BBC 5 Live staff on Wednesday, the broadcaster said it would provide Mr Hunt with “all possible support”.

The message reads: “Today’s news about John Hunt’s family is absolutely 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.”

Police said they were investigating whether officers had contact with the victims or Mr Clifford before the murders.

British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she would be kept fully informed of the investigation into the “truly shocking” deaths.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: “We continually review the legislation and launched an evidence-taking exercise earlier this year to consider whether further controls on crossbows should be introduced.”

“The Interior Minister will examine the results promptly to decide whether the laws need to be further tightened.”

Personalities from the world of racing posted condolences on social media.

BBC racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght said: “I am at a loss for words.

“Like everyone else, I feel numb and sick on John’s behalf in the face of such unfathomable evil.

“Anyone who knows John knows that he is the absolute archetype of a family man and is so proud of his children that it is impossible to know what he is going through.

“But I know I speak for the whole racing community and the whole wider sports media community that he has been a part of for so long when I say that everyone is sending him their sympathy, their love and their support. It’s just awful.” – PA