Bushey triple crossbow murder suspect pleads NOT GUILTY
26-year-old Kyle Clifford has appeared at Cambridge Crown Court
Last updated 19th Dec 2024
A man has denied three counts of murder following the deaths of Carol, Hannah and Louise Hunt at their family home in Bushey, Hertfordshire.
Kyle Clifford, from Rendlesham Road in Enfield, appeared at Cambridge Crown Court this afternoon, facing three charges.
He's also facing charges of false imprisonment and possession of offensive weapons - which he has pleaded not guilty to.
Mr Clifford has also been further charged with one count of rape, but no plea was entered on that charge today.
A trial date has been confirmed for 3 March 2025.
A manhunt was launched for Clifford after the family of racing commentator John Hunt died on Tuesday 9 July, in a crossbow attack.
Louise and Hannah Hunt were shot with a crossbow and Carol Hunt had been stabbed.
Clifford was located in Enfield and taken to hospital with injuries the following day, before later being questioned and charged by police.
Carol Hunt, 61, the wife of BBC 5 Live racing commentator John Hunt, was killed alongside her two daughters Hannah, 28 and Louise, 25, during an incident in the quiet cul-de-sac of Ashlyn Close.
Inquests into the deaths adjourned
A hearing into the deaths of Carol, Hannah and Louise heard how Hannah was still alive and had a crossbow bolt in her chest when police arrived, after texting for help and then calling 999.
She gave her address before the call cut out, stating she had been shot, as had her mother and sister.
Hannah was found in the main doorway of her home when officers arrived, a crossbow bolt still in her chest.
Carol Hunt, 61, died from stab wounds to her chest and abdomen, while her daughters Hannah and Louise, 25, died from crossbow bolt injuries, the hearing was told.
The coroner adjourned the inquest to allow any criminal proceeding to take place.
Tributes paid to 'lovely family'
Following their deaths, the community in Bushey rallied in support, with colleagues and friends paying their respects to Carol, Hannah and Louise.
Flowers with notes attached were left at the scene in Ashlyn Close, with messages reading "rest in peace".
A childhood friend of Carol's, Lea Holloway, 60, described her as a "beautiful person" and that her death was "the stuff of nightmares".
In a post on Facebook, Hannah Hunt's colleagues at The Anti-Ageing Clinic in Radlett, Hertfordshire, said it was with "deep regret and sadness" that they learned of the "horrific murder on Tuesday night of our skin therapist Hannah".
Vigils took place and tributes were paid to the family, with John Hunt later releasing his own statement, alongside his third daughter, Amy.
In July, they said: "The devastation that we are experiencing cannot be put into words.
"We would like to thank people for their kind messages and for the support we have received in recent days. These have provided great comfort to us for which we are very grateful.
"As you can imagine, this is an extremely difficult time for us, and we need time and space to come to terms with what has happened and start the grieving process."