Who are the family of John Hunt killed in Bushey crossbow attack?

The wife and two daughters of a BBC sports commentator were named as the victims of a crossbow attack at their home on Wednesday.

Carol Hunt, 61, who was married to BBC Five Live racing commentator John Hunt, and two of their daughters, Hannah and Louise, were killed in Ashlyn Close, Bushey, Hertfordshire, on Tuesday evening.

Triple murder suspect Kyle Clifford was detained by police on Wednesday night at a cemetery in Enfield, north London, and remains in hospital having been found with injuries.

Chief Superintendent Jon Simpson from Hertfordshire Police told reporters on Wednesday that the murders are believed to be “targeted”.

Who are the victims?

Mr Hunt, a 58-year-old former police officer, has worked for BBC Radio Five Live as a racing commentator for the last two decades. He was married to Mrs Hunt and had three children, including Hannah and Louise.

Hannah appeared in her social media profile to be a beauty and skin therapist who managed her own business, Hannah Grace Aesthetics, in Bushey.

Her colleague, Carolina Brennan, at The Anti-Ageing Clinic in St Albans paid tribute to her in a post on Instagram.

She wrote: "It is with deep regret and sadness of the horrific murder on Tuesday night of our skin therapist Hannah. She was a fantastic therapist and clients loved her. We send our condolences and prayers to her Dad, sister and family. She was very much a part of our team. Please bear with us at this terrible time."

According to her social media, Louise had started her own dog grooming business called Groom and Glow in September 2020.

Numerous comments on the company's Instagram account paid tribute to her, saying: "My dog Lola and I will miss Louise so much. Such a beautiful young lady, inside and out. My heart goes out to the family. RIP Louise, your sister and mother. Its too much to comprehend what has happened to such a lovely family."

A woman named Luisa told Sky News she had been sending her dog to the grooming service for three years and described Louise as the "sweetest, kindest, most gentle person with the most lovely family".

Local resident William Nourallah paid tribute to Louise, describing her as a “beautiful young girl”.

He told MailOnline: ”She was a gorgeous girl. She really was a young, hardworking girl. I met the mum once or twice because she opened the door for me. I met the father

”She was happy every time I saw her. We would have a laugh and a joke. She was a beautiful young girl. It's a waste of a life.”

Glyn Nicholas, 77, who is a neighbour of the Hunts, described them as a “very close-knit” family.

He told the Telegraph: “I know one of the daughters because she’s our dog groomer. All our daughters had their dogs groomed with Louise. She knew my wife, but the other daughter I didn’t know at all.”

He added: “They were a private family, all very nice, a private family. They all did their own things. Louise started a business a couple of years ago, and it was a thriving business - we all took our dogs there to be groomed.

Nicholas said Carol was “very quaint, a nice, polite and quiet lady”, adding that she “was at home a lot of the time”.

A man who lives close to the scene in Bushey said the incident was “tragic”.

Riaz, who is in his 50s and declined to give a second name, added: “This has been an awful situation and I can’t even imagine what the family must be going through.”

Condolences from racing world

As part of a note sent to BBC 5 Live staff on Wednesday, Mr Hunt's employer BBC described the incident as “utterly devastating”.

The note added: “Our thoughts are with John and his family at this incredibly difficult time and we will provide him with all the support we can.”

Radio 5 Live presenter Mark Chapman also paid an emotional tribute at the start of the Euro 2024 pre-match show.

Speaking through tears, he said: “This has been a heartbreaking day. John Hunt is our colleague and our friend, not just to the current 5 Live sport team but to all of those who have worked here with him over the past 20 years and also to all of you who have enjoyed his superb commentaries.

“On behalf of everybody connected to 5 Live sport, our love and thoughts and support are with John and his family.”

BBC racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght said: “Like everyone else I feel numb and sick on John’s behalf at such incomprehensible evil. Everyone who knows John knows he is the absolute archetypal family man, so proud of them, so it’s impossible to know what he can be going through.”

ITV racing commentator Matt Chapman wrote in an entry on X: “No words needed for what has happened to @HuntyCaller and family today. Impossible to comprehend the pain. Just know we are all here for you John. We love you pal – racing loves you.”

The Amateur Jockeys Association of Great Britain and Beverley Racecourse were among others sending their sympathies.

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