Hunt family murders

On 9 July 2024, three members of the Hunt family—Carol Hunt and her daughters Hannah and Louise Hunt—were killed at their home at 19 Ashlyn Close in Bushey, Hertfordshire. The perpetrator was Kyle Clifford, Louise's ex-boyfriend, from whom she had separated on 26 June 2024 due to his views and behaviour. In the days before the attack, Clifford purchased a compound crossbow and bolts, a butcher knife, a CO2 air pistol, and large quantities of petrol, duct tape and rope.

On the day of the murders, Clifford surveilled the property before approaching the house with a concealed knife. He was let in by Carol Hunt, whom he stabbed to death after claiming to be returning some of Louise's belongings. He then retrieved a crossbow from his car. Louise, who ran a dog grooming business from an outbuilding on the property, entered the house later that afternoon. Clifford restrained and gagged her, and over several hours harmed and raped her, before shooting her with the crossbow. Hannah Hunt, Louise's older sister, arrived at the property and was also shot by Clifford after confronting him and attempting to call for help. Hannah was found alive by first responders but was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after police arrived.

Following the killings, a manhunt lasting approximately 22 hours took place, concentrated in the London Borough of Enfield. Clifford drove toward his own home, stopped at a cemetery in Enfield overnight, and was located by armed police on 10 July 2024, at which point he shot himself in the chest, an injury that left him paralysed from the waist down. He was hospitalised and later arrested.

The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Hannah Hunt, 28, a beautician, and Louise Hunt, 25, a dog groomer. They were survived by John Hunt, a BBC racing commentator and husband of Carol, and another daughter, Amy. According to the coroner's inquest, Carol died of stab wounds while Hannah and Louise died from crossbow wounds.

Clifford was charged on 17 September 2024 with three counts of murder, false imprisonment of Louise Hunt, two counts of possessing an offensive weapon, and later one count of rape. Prosecutors alleged his actions were influenced by "violent misogyny" associated with online personality Andrew Tate. On 22 January 2025, Clifford pleaded guilty to the murder, false imprisonment, and weapons charges, but denied rape, arguing that forensic evidence could be explained by prior consensual contact; the prosecution called this account "untenable." He was subsequently found guilty of rape. On 11 March 2025, Clifford was sentenced to a whole-life order. Sentencing remarks from Judge Joel Bennathan described Clifford as motivated by jealousy and self-pity, and holding women in "utter contempt."

The case prompted public tributes, including a vigil in Bushey and gestures of support from the racing and football communities. It also renewed government scrutiny of crossbow ownership laws in the UK, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer describing the killings as "awful" and pledging a review of relevant legislation.