Kyle Clifford: Wanted in connection with triple murder in Bushey, 3 women murdered in home, 9th July 2024 *arrest*

[Sweeper2000]

48 minutes ago
Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC has begun to open the facts of the murders.
“Kyle Clifford committed acts of extreme violence against Louise Hunt and members of her family at the family home address”, she said.
“Those events came to be because of the end of their relationship.”
She said Ms Hunt’s friends and family supported the end of the relationship, and Clifford was “angry” and tried to rekindle the romance.
“He correctly assumed friends and family members had advised Louise to end the relationship”, said Ms Morgan.
“He set about planning a catastrophic attack on the Hunt family.”

53 minutes ago

Kyle Clifford has refused to come to court for his sentencing​

Mr Justice Bennathan enters and tells the court Clifford has refused to leave his cell at HMP Belmarsh for the sentencing hearing.
The prison asked if he should be put in restraints and brought to a videolink room, but the judge said no.
“The idea of a man in a wheelchair being put in restraints and potentially disrupting proceedings in the videolink room is simply not appropriate”, said the judge.
He points out some of the court hearing will involve tributes to the victims, and he is not prepared for Clifford to have the chance to disrupt that.
“If he lacks the courage to face today, so be it.”
57 minutes ago

Timeline of the offences​

June 26 2024: Louise Hunt ends her relationship with Clifford, telling him in a message: “I feel like it’s been broken and I can’t ignore how I’ve been feeling or made to feel in our relationship over the course of the year.”
June 30: Clifford makes internet searches in relation to crossbows and visits websites where they could be purchased.
July 1: Clifford accesses the Facebook page of Carol Hunt. He also has a conversation with his brother about buying a crossbow and conducts searches for air rifles.
July 3: Clifford purchases a Hori-Zone Kornet MXT-405 compound crossbow, a pack of six crossbow bolts and a rope-cocking device through Tactical Archery.
He also buys a £219 CO2 Glock air pistol from The Air Gun Centre in Essex. It was not delivered before the murders and was recalled by the company when it heard about the attacks.
July 4: Clifford buys two petrol cans from Halfords and two rolls of duct tape from B&Q.
The same day, Louise Hunt makes a note on her phone titled “When you’re sad, look”, which set out how Clifford was “racist”, had “commented he did not like transgender people” and had used “belittling language”.

Crossbow killer Kyle Clifford jailed for whole life for triple murder

Kyle Clifford was handed a whole life sentence for the murders of Carol, Hannah, and Louise Hunt

www.standard.co.uk

 

[Sweeper2000]

July 9:
1.07pm: Clifford leaves his home address armed with a knife and a crossbow.
1.48pm: Clifford searches “horse racing today” on the internet to see if Louise Hunt’s father, BBC commentator John Hunt, was working that day.
2.32pm: Clifford knocks on the door of the Hunt family home with a black rucksack containing a knife and tells Carol Hunt he wants to return items of property.
2.39pm-2.45pm: Carol Hunt is murdered by Clifford in a “brutal” knife attack, with screams and banging sounds heard coming from the property.
3.10pm: Clifford returns to his car to retrieve the crossbow hidden under a white cloth or blanket.
4.13pm: A faint scream is heard shortly after Louise Hunt enters the family home.
4.13pm-6.50pm: Louise Hunt is restrained with duct tape around her ankles and her wrists and is eventually raped by Clifford.
5.37pm-5.43pm: Clifford checks Louise Hunt’s mobile phone to see who she had been in contact with and what she had been looking at on Instagram.
5.44pm: Clifford tells his sister he was shooting his crossbow at a friend’s house and that it was not “illegal” after she asked why he had taken it out.
5.52pm: Clifford messages John Hunt from Louise Hunt’s phone, asking: “What time are you home?”
5.57pm: Clifford searches “if I unplug my smoke detector will it go off”, with the prosecution saying he had contemplated the use of fire to destroy evidence.
6.50pm: Louise Hunt is murdered with a crossbow shortly before Hannah Hunt arrives at the property.
6.51pm: Hannah Hunt realises Clifford is at the address and shouts “What is wrong with you?”, with high-pitched squealing and screaming heard coming from the property.
6.52pm: Hannah Hunt messages her partner: “Call police leggy. Immediately. To mine. Now. Kyle here. POLCOE (sic) NOW. HE’S TYING US UP.”
6.54pm: Hannah Hunt is shot with a crossbow.
6.55pm: Clifford walks away from the property with the crossbow hidden under the sheet and the black rucksack.
6.57pm: Female heard in the property screaming “Oh my God, no” as Hannah Hunt realises her sister and mother have been attacked.
6.58pm: Hannah Hunt uses Carol Hunt’s phone to dial 999 and identifies Clifford as the attacker to the call handler.
7.10pm: Emergency services attend the Hunt family home – Carol and Louise Hunt are found dead and unsuccessful resuscitation attempts are made on Hannah Hunt.
July 10: 4.49am-5.18am: Clifford is seen in a cemetery in the Lavender Gardens area of Enfield, north London.
4.20pm: Firearms officers locate Clifford in a wooded area with a loaded crossbow before he shoots himself in the chest with the weapon.
4.51pm: Clifford is formally arrested after receiving medical assistance.
September 16: Clifford is finally fit to be interviewed by police where he says “sorry” and “what I have done is atrocious”.
1 hour ago

Clifford stayed in his cell for his trial​

Lawyers, court officials, and journalists have gathered in court ahead of the sentencing, which is expected to start at 10.30am.
Mr Hunt and his surviving daughter Amy have entered the courtroom ahead of the hearing beginning.
Clifford stayed in his cell at HMP Belmarsh for his rape trial, dodging an appearance in the dock.
This was despite efforts by the judge to accommodate the killer, including switching the hearing to an accessible court for his wheelchair needs and allowing him to attend via video link to give evidence.

Kyle Clifford has not attended Cambridge Crown Court for his trial (Hertfordshire Police/PA)
PA Archive

Crossbow killer Kyle Clifford jailed for whole life for triple murder

Kyle Clifford was handed a whole life sentence for the murders of Carol, Hannah, and Louise Hunt

www.standard.co.uk

 

[Sweeper2000]

Live updates

5 minutes ago

John Hunt could also have been an intended victim, prosecution suggests​

Ms Morgan details how Hannah Hunt was able to raise the alarm before she was shot and killed.
She put forward to the court that John Hunt, who was at work at the racing, was due to return home later that day.
“Had Hannah not raised the alarm, the defendant may have killed Hannah and waited at the address for John to return.”
The judge said he cannot be sure of Clifford’s motives towards Mr Hunt, and he may have feared that he would put up more resistance.

Crossbow killer Kyle Clifford jailed for whole life for triple murder

Kyle Clifford was handed a whole life sentence for the murders of Carol, Hannah, and Louise Hunt

www.standard.co.uk

 

[Inspector Evans]

I literally could not care less that he is now a rasping wheelchair user. the family is what it is about. he should have the courtroom precedings into his room though 100%

This is where Letby and others refusing to come back to sentencing is an issue as he'd have followed that case I'm sure and now citing it to refuse to come in.

He should be in court for the sentencing 100%.

 

[Inspector Evans]

Live updates

5 minutes ago

John Hunt could also have been an intended victim, prosecution suggests​

Ms Morgan details how Hannah Hunt was able to raise the alarm before she was shot and killed.
She put forward to the court that John Hunt, who was at work at the racing, was due to return home later that day.
“Had Hannah not raised the alarm, the defendant may have killed Hannah and waited at the address for John to return.”
The judge said he cannot be sure of Clifford’s motives towards Mr Hunt, and he may have feared that he would put up more resistance.

Crossbow killer Kyle Clifford jailed for whole life for triple murder

Kyle Clifford was handed a whole life sentence for the murders of Carol, Hannah, and Louise Hunt

www.standard.co.uk

He would never have done any of this if John had been at the address that day. Probably waited for another time.

Actually surprised he only texted John Hunt halfway through and was unaware of what time he was returning that evening.

He legged it once he'd ended the lives of the females in the family anyway.

 

[Parker Knoll]

Utterly horrific.

 

[Tortoise]

I wonder where he was in the nearly 24 hours between leaving the Hunt's home and being located the next day in the cemetery.

 

[Sweeper2000]

2 minutes ago
John Hunt has delivered a heroic and incredibly powerful impact statement to the court, aiming most of his words at Clifford himself.
“Whatever sentence you are about to receive, whatever misery lies ahead for you in the next 60 years, once your days on earth are done, on your dying day, there will be no release for you.
“The screams of hell, Kyle. I can hear them faintly now.
“They are going to roll out the red carpet for you.
“At that point, when the person you could have been meets the person you are, you will realise your miserable fate will last for eternity.”

Crossbow killer Kyle Clifford jailed for whole life for triple murder

Kyle Clifford was handed a whole life sentence for the murders of Carol, Hannah, and Louise Hunt

www.standard.co.uk

 

[Sweeper2000]

its difficult to not get emotional at those words.

 

[Kemug]

I wonder where he was in the nearly 24 hours between leaving the Hunt's home and being located the next day in the cemetery.

I suppose it's faintly possible that he was on his knees somewhere praying for forgiveness, maybe in the cemetery.

 

[Tortoise]

11:36​

John Hunt describes Clifford as 'callous, cowardly and vindictive'

John Hunt, the husband of Carol Hunt, who was stabbed to death by triple murderer Kyle Clifford, has described her killer as "callous, cowardly and vindictive" during a sentencing hearing at Cambridge Crown Court.

The BBC racing commentator, who is also father to Louise and Hannah Hunt, who died after being shot with a crossbow by Clifford, was visibly emotional as he read his victim statement to the court.

11:46​

'I am so proud of all my girls'

Mr Hunt says he wanted to deliver his words "eye to eye" with Clifford.

Referring to Louise, he said: “You, Kyle, simply failed to be the person she needed; you failed," he said.

"I am so proud of all my girls. Unlike you. Kyle, at every step of their lives they made the correct choices to improve themselves as people.

“Louise enjoyed more success in fulfilment in one morning than you achieved in your entire miserable life.

"Do you recall, Kyle, how kind we all were to you? Helping you and Louise enjoy trips away. You were always made welcome. The only Christmas you spent together was at our house.

“What was it about that blissful existence that you hated so much, Kyle? Could you not handle how pleasant it was, such a contrast you what you were used to?

“We all offered you kindness, especially Carol. Make no mistake, she had picked up on your personal inadequacies right from the start. She sensed your immaturity. Carol showed you compassion right until she answered the door to you on 9 July.”

11:48​

John Hunt says Hannah saved his life by sounding the alarm

Mr Hunt is continuing to read out his victim impact statement to the court.

He pays tribute to Hannah for saving his life by sounding the alarm before being murdered by Clifford.

Mr Hunt says: "Whilst I am so badly damaged, I am absolutely determined to see what my future is, surrounded by so many amazing people.

"The chance to do that, I firmly believe, has been gifted to me by my incredible Hansy.

"I really believe that had she not managed to show such amazing physical and mental strength… then I would’ve been your fourth victim that day.

"Hannah handed me a second chance; one that she worked so hard to achieve for me.

"Do you really think after what she did for me I will slight her memory and example by just giving up?"

Kyle Clifford to be sentenced for triple murder

 

[Rusty Braincells]

Requiring a defendant to attend court for sentencing (or indeed his trial) falls into the “a bit difficult” bracket in terms of the law and practicalities, so it feels into the bucket where the authorities don’t want to deal with it and instead implement easier measures of lesser importance.

I recall we were all told that parole decisions were simply how they were and simply nothing could be done, until the John Worboys decision was sufficiently ridiculous that it was necessary to intervene, so it turned out yes actually something COULD be done.

A solution has to be found to defendants behaving in this way. If they decline to appear (or do appear and are disruptive) then this must at very least be an aggravating factor in sentencing.

 

[Tortoise]

John Hunt hopes Louise's bravery will be 'shining beacon' for women
11:52​

“I hope women around the world will take Louise’s bravery as a shining beacon for their lives," John Hunt continues.

“If you feel enough is enough, then it is.”

He called Clifford’s levels of misogyny “off the scale”.

“All their lives Carol, Hannah and Louise spent their time bringing joy, colour and happiness to other people’s lives.

“You killed three beautiful mockingbirds, Kyle.”

Talking about the shocking crimes, he said of Louise: “You incapacitated her, raped her and when you realised Hannah was coming home, you shot her in the back.

“I can’t imagine a more cowardly act. You couldn’t look her in the eye.”

Mr Hunt thanked his wife "for being such a wonderful partner in life and a wonderful mother".

“What about me? The impact of what you have done will be taken to my grave, but on the way there I want you to know I stand strong before you today. As you, Kyle, are confined to a fate worse than death.”

Kyle Clifford to be sentenced for triple murder

 

[Tortoise]

Requiring a defendant to attend court for sentencing (or indeed his trial) falls into the “a bit difficult” bracket in terms of the law and practicalities, so it feels into the bucket where the authorities don’t want to deal with it and instead implement easier measures of lesser importance.

I recall we were all told that parole decisions were simply how they were and simply nothing could be done, until the John Worboys decision was sufficiently ridiculous that it was necessary to intervene, so it turned out yes actually something COULD be done.

A solution has to be found to defendants behaving in this way. If they decline to appear (or do appear and are disruptive) then this must at very least be an aggravating factor in sentencing.

Yep. They should lose privileges, like family visits or access to phone calls. For a year at least. IMO

 

[Sweeper2000]

1 minute ago

'You killed three beautiful mockingbirds, Kyle'​

Mr Hunt battled to control his emotions as he delivered the lengthy impact statement, paying tribute to his wife and daughters while condemning Clifford.
He quoted from daughter Louise’s favourite novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, in which Atticus Finch advised “it’s a sin to kill a Mockingbird”.
“All their lives, Carol, Hannah, and Louise, similarly spent time bringing colour, joy, and love to other people’s lives.
“You killed three beautiful mockingbirds, Kyle.”
Mr Hunt described Clifford as a “psychopath”, calling the murders “callous, cowardly and vindictive”.

Crossbow killer Kyle Clifford jailed for whole life for triple murder

Kyle Clifford was handed a whole life sentence for the murders of Carol, Hannah, and Louise Hunt

www.standard.co.uk

 

[Rusty Braincells]

Yep. They should lose privileges, like family visits or access to phone calls. For a year at least. IMO

Yes, there must be SOME consequences. “Oh it can’t be done, human rights this, can’t be compelled that.” We all pay for government lawyers via our taxes, figure it out.

 

[Cherwell]

The judge said he cannot be sure of Clifford’s motives towards Mr Hunt, and he may have feared that he would put up more resistance.

But he had a crossbow! He would have lain in wait and shot John as he entered the house.

He would never have done any of this if John had been at the address that day. Probably waited for another time.
Actually surprised he only texted John Hunt halfway through and was unaware of what time he was returning that evening.

He had established that John was working, and it would have been easy to check the time of the last race. He would have had a good idea of the earliest John might get home.

 

[Sweeper2000]

But he had a crossbow! He would have lain in wait and shot John as he entered the house.

He had established that John was working, and it would have been easy to check the time of the last race. He would have had a good idea of the earliest John might get home.

kyles a coward. any form of retaliation will cause a retreat even with a huge advantage. will only proceed if he has no doubt that what he does will meet no resistance. no wonder the army had such doubts about it, they will generally push you into it when the outcome is not certain and that takes real bravery of which kyle had none.

 

[Rusty Braincells]

I fear this is going to be a sentence in the region of 40-45 years minimum, and not whole life, so that the surviving daughter may need to deal with Clifford’s parole hearing many years from now if Clifford survives.

I would LOVE to be wrong but judges have been more lenient than I would like them to be recently and I fear the guilty plea to the murders, if not the rape, will be given a lot of weight. There has been more than one case of multiple murder where a whole life sentence should in my amateur opinion have been given and has not been.

 

[Sweeper2000]

4 minutes ago

'Levels of misogyny off the scale'​

Mr Hunt said he wanted to deliver his victim impact “eye to eye” with Clifford, and addressed the killer directly despite him being absent from the dock.
He said Clifford’s “levels of misogyny are off the scale”, and said of his daughter: “Louise enjoyed more success and fulfillment in one morning than you achieved in your entire miserable life.”
He said his family had shown Clifford only love and inclusion, inviting him to pub lunches, special occasions, Christmas celebrations, and he believes the killer put on a “veneer” of respectability.
“What was it about that beautiful existence that you hated so much, Kyle?”, he asked.
“Could you not handle how pleasant it all was, such a contrast to what you were used to?”
He said his wife offered only kindness, she displayed compassion right up to the point when she was murdered.
“Do you remember her kindness? How she urged you to get relationship help and guidance for fear you would never be able to sustain a lasting relationship.
“You calmly accepted the advice on the doorstep and then literally seconds later savagely stabbed her eight times and ended her life.”

Crossbow killer Kyle Clifford jailed for whole life for triple murder

Kyle Clifford was handed a whole life sentence for the murders of Carol, Hannah, and Louise Hunt

www.standard.co.uk