A CROSSBOW killer will die behind bars after he was handed a whole life order for murdering a BBC star’s family and raping his ex.
Kyle Clifford carried out “acts of extreme violence” against Louise Hunt, 25, her mum Carol, 61, and sister Hannah, 28.
The 26-year-old pleaded guilty to three counts of murder, a charge of false imprisonment and two counts of possession of offensive weapons.
Clifford was last week convicted of raping Louise on July 9 – the same day the family were slaughtered at their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire.
He was today handed a whole life order in his absence after he refused to attend the trial and his sentencing in an “absolute act of cowardice”.
The sentence means Clifford will never be released from prison and will die behind bars.
Racing commentator John and his surviving daughter Amy hugged as the rare order was handed down.
Mr Justice Bennathan describes Clifford as a “jealous man soaked in self pity, who holds women in utter contempt”.
He also praised the Hunt family, saying: “They showed a gentle heroism of which you, Kyle Clifford, can only dream.”
In a harrowing victim impact statement, John said he “so wanted to deliver these words eye to eye with Kyle”, who he branded a “psychopath”.
He thanked the jury who found Clifford guilty of rape and said they are also victims, like so many, of his “callous cowardly and vindictive behaviours”.
John ended his statement by telling Clifford the “red carpet” will be rolled out for him in Hell.
The dad added: “Whatever misery lies ahead for you in the next 60 years… remember after 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 now.
“Your miserable fate will last for eternity.”
Surviving daughter Amy wept as she told the court how she would never “comprehend why you would do such a monstrous thing”.
She said Clifford’s “own fragile ego and pride were more important than three beautiful, meaningful and productive lives”.
Amy also said the triple killer had “earned a rightful spot in Hell” as she branded his actions “demonic”.
She also broke down as she told how Clifford ensured her “family endured their last moments alone and terrified”.
Amy added: “I only wish it had been me instead of them.”
The monster hatched the “carefully planned and executed” plot to attack Louise and her family after she broke up with him.
Chilling CCTV showed how he began gathering items to use in the “catastrophic” attack around two weeks before the horror.
On June 28, Clifford was seen in a Toolstation in Enfield, North London, buying 30m of polypropylene rope for £14.75.
Then on July 4 – five days before the killing – he was filmed inside a Halfords buying petrol cans, which he was originally planning to use to destroy evidence.
Later that day, Clifford bought two rolls of tape in a B&Q, which the court heard was used to restrain Louise before he raped then killed her.
The Army dropout spent £357 on a crossbow and six bolts and £89 on a “high-level butchering knife” from Amazon.
Clifford also messaged his brother Bradley, who is serving life in jail for murder, about buying the weapon.
Bradley replied: “You can’t just order a crossbow bruv.”
Clifford then wrote a note to his family saying he did not “want to live my life without her” as he prepared to put the murderous plan into action.
He also searched for a video of Wandsworth prison officer Linda De Sousa Abreu having sex with an inmate on a porn website the night before the attack and watched Andrew Tate podcasts.
Then on the day of the triple murder, Clifford went to a garden centre with his mum, dad and niece.
He then made his way to a street close to the Hunt home around 30 minutes before the attack to see how many cars were on the drive.
Evil Clifford tricked his way inside after claiming to Carol that wanted to give Louise her belongings back following their break up.
At around 2.40pm, screams and banging sounds were heard as Carol, who was married to BBC racing commentator John Hunt, was “brutally attacked” five times with a knife.
Clifford moved the mum’s body to a snug room and used various blankets to cover her up.
Louise then entered the home through a back door at 4.12pm after working at her dog grooming business in the garden.
Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC said a minute later, a “faint scream/shout” was heard coming from the home.
This was followed by a “high pitch scream” at 4.26pm then banging noises as Louise was “restrained” using tape.
Clifford tied up her wrists and ankles and gagged his ex, meaning she was “silenced” and left unable to fight back.
Ms Morgan said: “The prosecution alleges that the defendant raped Louise Hunt at some point during this period and whilst she was being restrained by him.
“It is not possible to say where the restraint and rape took place within the property, save that Louise must have been in the snug room where Carol’s body was located, facing away from the defendant, at the time when she was murdered with the crossbow.”
Louise was chillingly restrained and gagged for more than two hours, during which time Clifford messaged her dad from her phone asking when he was going to be home.
At 6.50pm, a loud “whooshing” was heard, which was “the sound of the crossbow being fired to kill Louise Hunt”, the court was told.
Tragically at the same time, Hannah arrived back home and asked her mum “you don’t know how to use your phone?” – unaware both Carol and Louise had been murdered.
She then realised Clifford was inside the home and yelled at him: “Kyle I swear to god…what the f**k Kyle I swear to f***ing god”.
Hannah was also heard screaming “oh my god”, before she asked the killer: “What the f**k is wrong with you, what is wrong with you?”
At 6.52pm, she bravely managed to message her partner to tell him to call the police as Clifford was there and “tying us up”.
Two minutes later, another “whoosh” was heard, which jurors were told is believed to have been Clifford firing the crossbow at Hannah.
As he fled the home armed with the weapon, she was heard to utter “mum, Louise” before screaming “oh my god, no”.
Clifford was captured on CCTV heading down the driveway with the crossbow hidden under a blanket.
Hannah called 999 at 6.57pm despite her horror injuries to tell officers that Clifford had attacked her, Louise and Carol.
She explained: “My sister’s ex-boyfriend has come in and he shot us.”
When police arrived, they discovered Hannah collapsed in the doorway and Louise bound in the snug next to her mum’s body.
Clifford meanwhile fled to a cemetery in Enfield, North London, close to his home – sparking a manhunt.
How the triple killing unfolded
– 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.
The defendant then goes on to access pornography.
– July 1
Clifford accesses the Facebook page of Carol Hunt.
The defendant 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.
The defendant 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 defendant searches how to uncock a crossbow and fired a crossbow bolt into a tree.
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”.
– July 5
Clifford conducts research about sourcing knives.
– July 6
Clifford receives an update on his purchase of a high-level 10in butchering steel knife worth £89. Packaging for the knife was found at his home address but the knife was never found by police.
– 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 allegedly 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 the prosecution allege she is raped by Clifford.
5.37pm-5.43pm: The prosecution allege 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.
As officers eventually tracked him day the following day, the killer shot himself with the crossbow in a suicide bid.
Clifford, who served in the Queen‘s Dragoon Guards, was left paralysed from the waist down and now uses a wheelchair due to his injuries.
In his first police interview last September, he told officers “sorry” and said “what I have done is atrocious”.
Footage released by police also showed the monster sat in a wheelchair sobbing while he is asked about a note he wrote to his family.
He told his loved ones “none of you have failed” and that this was “my decision to just be at peace”.
Clifford then sniffs loudly when the note gets to a bit about his family having to “take care of each other”.
A woman sat next to him places a hand on Clifford as he rubs his hands together and continues sniffing.
Chief Superintendent Jon Simpson said Clifford only showed emotion during the police interview when the “questions were about himself”.
He said the killer was “self-pitying, unable to recognise the impact on the victims and others, very much only feeling sorry for himself and no-one else”.
The court was told Louise’s friends and family had grown concerned over her relationship with Clifford before the triple murder.
One friend said the dog groomer had confided in her about his “nasty temper” and revealed he had “behaved in an aggressive manner”.
He had also shown “poor behaviour” towards others and “sexualised comments” about women.
The couple had gone to a wedding around two weeks before the attack that became a “catalyst” for the break up.
He had secret relationships with two other women behind Louise’s back – including one still ongoing at the time of the horror.
Police also revealed how Clifford’s interest in Andrew Tate was one of the key reasons why Louise ended her relationship with him.
Louise was upset when he laughed as he played a video in front of her and friends showing Tate harming an animal.
Cops found a number of videos from Tate on Clifford’s phone following the attack.
The monster, who had watched some clips in the hours before the murder, was likely “fuelled” by the “violent misogyny promoted” by the toxic influencer, police said.
Prosecutor Ms Morgan said it was “no coincidence it was Andrew Tate he turned to the night before he would go on to commit these acts of violence against women”.
The court heard that Louise broke up with Clifford on June 24 – two weeks before the attack.
In the days that followed, the killer bombarded her with messages that were “rebuffed” by Louise.
She also compiled a list on her phone named “when you’re sad, Look!” that detailed all the reasons they broke up.
These included “racist comments” he had made and that he “doesn’t like transgenders”, it was said.
Clifford’s brother, who the killer described as a “geezer”, being in prison for murder was also on Louise’s list.
Jurors were told it was “not in dispute” that Clifford murdered Carol and her daughters or that he was in possession of a knife and crossbow.
Ms Morgan said the only count they must come to a verdict on was the rape charge against Louise.
She explained Clifford’s DNA had been found but he claimed the last time they had sex was June 23.
Ms Morgan continued: “During the course of this prolonged incident, the prosecution alleges that the defendant raped Louise Hunt.
“It was a violent, sexual act of spite, before he then killed her. You will have to determine that allegation against him.”
How you can get help
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
Lisa Kiff of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Kyle Clifford is a murderer and rapist, who at every turn has attempted to escape the gravity of his actions.
“From seeking to evade arrest, to not attending his trial or the sentencing hearing today – his lack of remorse and accountability for the truly inhumane crimes he committed has been laid bare.
“While Clifford pleaded guilty to the murders of Carol, Louise and Hannah Hunt, the Crown Prosecution Service took the decision to proceed with the rape charge. This was to ensure full justice was secured for Louise, and to ensure that Clifford could be sentenced for the full extent of his offending.
“That decision has been vindicated by his conviction for the rape and by the sentence passed today as Clifford will never be released from prison.
“On behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service, I want to express my heartfelt sympathies and admiration to the Hunt family. They had the strength and courage to attend court every day and hear first-hand the devastating truth of what happened to Carol, Louise and Hannah – something which, in stark contrast, Clifford was too cowardly to do.
“We hope today’s sentence, which ensures Clifford can never hurt anyone again, can help the Hunt family with their healing process as they navigate the future and continue to honour the lives of Carol, Louise and Hannah.”
Grieving Hunt family slam 'demonic' killer
Here is John Hunt’s statement in full:
“My name is John Hunt and I am blessed to be Carol’s husband and Hannah, Louise and Amy’s Dad.
“I so wanted to deliver these words, eye to eye with Kyle. I will continue to act as if I am doing so.
“When I was first invited to provide a victim impact statement I initially misunderstood its purpose.
“Do I really need to detail the impact of having three quarters of my family murdered?
“But then I realised that this was my final opportunity to say what I want to say to you specifically, Kyle, words that will also be directed to your family who will carry guilt forward for the rest of their lives; I know you valued them so poorly from all the conversations we had Kyle but I suppose even they must be damaged by what you have done.
“I also want to confirm to the world the truth, especially how Louise conducted herself within a textbook, mature breakup on her part, understanding the conflict of saying goodbye to someone she once loved but not allowing those memories to cloud her certain knowledge that you simply failed to be the person she needed. You failed.
“I am so proud of all of 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 and 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, do you remember how she loved a swanky hotel?
“You were always invited to meals out.
“A Sunday lunch at the pub or a special celebration, you were always made welcome.
“The only Christmas you spent together was at our house. Was it four or five days you spent with us?
“The food, the games, the laughter, the normality…what was it about that blissful existence you hated so much, Kyle?
“Could you not handle how pleasant it was, such a contrast to what you were used to.
“The trips to Italy, Disneyland and many more; Louise gave your relationship so much effort which you were never able or willing to match.
“We all offered you kindness, especially Carol.
“She had picked up on your personal inadequacies right from the start.
“She sensed your immaturity but always knew Louise would work things out.
“Carol still displayed her compassion right up until the moment she answered the door to you on July 9th.
“Do you remember her kindness Kyle; how she urged you to get some relationship help and guidance for fear that you would never be able to sustain a lasting relationship.
“You calmly accepted that advice on the doorstep and then, seconds later savagely stabbed her eight times and ended her life.
“When I challenge myself about how you were able to deceive us all, I simply say that you are a psychopath who, for the duration of your time together with Louise, was able to disguise yourself as an ordinary human being.
“You reserved your best, make-believe version of yourself for the times you were in our house.
“You managed to maintain that veneer of decency throughout the first year of your time with Louise, but you couldn’t maintain it in the early part of 2024.
“Although Carol and I never witnessed any alarming behaviour, your visits became less frequent.
“You began the first of two affairs that we know about, your aversion to a day’s hard work continued as you messed up yet another job at Reynolds.
“It wasn’t only the Army that found you worthless.
“I often think of the list Louise wrote to herself to remind her of the reasons that you fell short. The racism. She was rightly disgusted by that.
“Your belittling language. The fact that your family is a mess.
“Like any women should be allowed to do, she worked you out despite repeated deceit and said enough is enough.
“I hope women around the world will take Louise’s bravery as a shining beacon for their lives. If you feel enough is enough, then it is.
“I’d like to remind you Kyle, of how gracious Louise was to you in that final text to you.
“This is what she said on the 26th June, the morning after she had finished with you face to face.
“She texted you thanking you for what was a wonderful year together, explaining how much she once loved you, that she never wanted any animosity to develop between you and that she wanted you to take care of yourself.
“You texted back saying ‘Thank you for the clarity Louise, so we can both start our healing process.
“I love you so much and I will for a very long time. I will always be here for you if you ever need me, please don’t hesitate.
“I wish you all the best and take care of yourself too.’
“The difference was, we know now, that Louise meant every word whereas you simply lied.
“You didn’t love her enough to stop you having those two affairs in the spring of last year?
“Or to start planning to kill her and her family just days later. And that a horrific rape on her was part of the plan. Your levels of misogyny are off the scale.
“Louise’s favourite novel from her schooldays was Harper Lee’s classic, to Kill a Mockingbird.
“She was captivated by the goodness of Atticus Finch both as a father and a lawyer.
“She would often quote lines from the novel to match life’s challenges.
“One of those quotes that comes to mind, right here in this moment is that of Miss Maudie reasserting Atticus’ assertion that it’s a sin to Kill a Mockingbird. She said ‘Your fathers right. Mockingbirds don’t do one thing except make music for us to enjoy.
“They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corn cribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a Mockingbird. “
“All their lives Carol, Hannah and Louise similarly spent their time bringing joy and colour and happiness to other people’s lives. You killed three beautiful Mockingbirds, Kyle.
“So, to remind you, over a period of four hours you brutally killed Carol, waited over an hour until Louise came into the house.
“You incapacitated her, raped her and when you realised Hannah was coming home, you shot Louise in the back. I can’t imagine a more cowardly act. You couldn’t look her in the eye. You murdered Hannah minutes later. So four hours.
“A few weeks later I also spent four hours with them Kyle; in the funeral directors.
“The usual room wasn’t big enough for three bodies but they removed a partition wall so we could all be together.
“I sat for a while with Louise to my right, she looked so peaceful and Hannah to my left. I couldn’t quite reach to hold their hands at the same time.
“Amy and I placed a photograph of Chester in Louise’s’ right hand. Carol was at the top of the room.
“She was dressed in a beautiful orange dress she had bought for a wedding we went to a month beforehand. I stroked her hair and told her how much I loved her. I thanked her for being such a wonderful partner in life and wonderful mother. They were my four hours Kyle.
“And 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 that I stand strong before you today.
“As you are consigned to a fate far greater than death, I can draw on the love and strength that I still feel from the girls in every moment of every day. I am lucky. I have the most wonderful daughter, Amy who gives me such focus and purpose.
“I have Gareth and Alex. I have my extended family, reaching far beyond my Mum, brothers and sister, aunts and uncles and cousins. I have many friends who watch out for me on an hourly basis.
“Carol’s friends are mine and I now have a renewed relationship with Hannah’s and Louise’s best friends. I will always be there for them and they will be there for me too. So whilst I am so badly damaged, I am determined to see what my future is, surrounded by so many amazing people.
“And the chance to do has been gifted to me by my incredible Hannah. I firmly believe that, had she not managed to show such amazing physical and mental strength in raising the alarm after you fatally injured her, then I would have 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? Even though the days are difficult and feel on many occasions, impossible, I will channel my inner Atticus Finch at all times. He said: ‘I want you to see what real courage is. Instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand, it’s when you know you are licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what’.
“And now comes the time when your fate on this earth will be confirmed.
“Every single person in the world, I’m thinking of mothers and fathers in particular, especially those daughters, now expects the formality of a life sentence.
“Never again to make choices of your own. To breathe fresh air only occasionally. To eat when someone else tells you to eat. But just remember one thing. Whatever sentence you are about to receive, whatever misery lies ahead for you for the next 60 years.
“Remember that after 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. The red carpet will come out 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.”
Surviving daughter Amy wept as she told the court how she would never “comprehend why you would do such a monstrous thing”.
She said Clifford’s “own fragile ego and pride were more important than three beautiful, meaningful and productive lives”.
Amy also said the triple killer had “earned a rightful spot in Hell” as she branded his actions “demonic”.
She also broke down as she told how Clifford ensured her “family endured their last moments alone and terrified”.
Amy added: “I only wish it had been me instead of them.”
She told how her younger sisters will never be the “mothers they dreamed of being” and that she was robbed of the chance of holding her mum’s hand as she passed away as she always imagined.
Amy continued: “That day, and every day leading up to it, Kyle, you had a choice and you chose to inflict violence on a horrific scale, all for your own selfish and sadistic aims.
“All the time, truly thinking of yourself alone, I can only assume that in the days after Louise broke up with you in the kindest most respectful way… you created some kind of false narrative in your head about how we had supposedly wronged you in order to allow you to avoid confronting the pain and shame within you and the truth – that the break-up was entirely your fault.
“That day, my mum, Hannah and Louise were all simply living their lives, getting on with their day in the home working or returning to their home after work.
“Their home is a place that was and should have continued to be safe for them and you made it the most unsafe place in the world for those few hours – you are a monster.”
Amy also praised her mum after she “fought like hell” against the violence and “sheer terror” Clifford inflicted on her.
She said there was “nothing she wouldn’t have done, including giving up her own life”.
Amy also told how Louise was “extraordinarily brave” in the face of his “evil”, while Hannah “bravely fought” and raised the alarm.
She continued: “Plainly, the Hunt family are human – and you are not.”
Amy finished her statement by saying: “We will always be a family of five.”
She said she and her father John “feel like the most unfortunate people”, but they know they are really “the luckiest”.
Amy told how when the “stain of Kyle Clifford begins to fade”, the “lives and legacy of Carol Hunt, Hannah Hunt and Louise Hunt will live on forever”.
“I would rather have lived 30 years with them than 1,000 years without ever knowing them,” she added.
“And nothing Kyle has done will ever take that away, such love is too strong to be lost to his actions.”
