The man suspected of murdering three women during a “horrific” ordeal lasting several hours was found in a north London cemetery by police with serious injuries he had inflicted on himself.
Police say their investigation has recovered a crossbow and that their sole suspect, Kyle Clifford, remains in hospital, unable to be spoken to by detectives.
The Guardian understands the 26-year-old has undergone emergency surgery for a chest wound. He is being treated in a London hospital and is under police guard, and has yet to be formally arrested or interviewed.
He was captured on Wednesday in woodland near Lavender Hill cemetery in Enfield by police looking for the man believed to have attacked and killed three women in their Hertfordshire home the previous day, about 17 miles away.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25. They were found in Ashlyn Close in Bushey.
The women who were attacked were the wife and two of the daughters of the BBC horse racing commentator John Hunt. Police believe the attacks were likely to have been premeditated.
It is understood that a man who had been in a relationship with one of the daughters, which had recently ended, went to the house armed with a crossbow on the pretence of collecting some possessions at about midday on Tuesday.
Just before 7pm police were called to the house and found the three women seriously injured.
In a statement, Hertfordshire police said: “The suspect of a triple murder in Bushey continues to receive medical treatment in a London hospital. Kyle Clifford, who was wanted in connection with the incident, was located yesterday afternoon (10 July) after a police manhunt.
“At this stage, he is currently in a serious condition and is yet to speak with officers. A crossbow has been recovered as part of the investigation.”
Police are investigating when and how the recovered crossbow was obtained by Clifford.
Police have described the attacks as “horrific” and appealed to anyone who saw anything suspicious in Ashlyn Close between midday and 7pm Tuesday to contact them.
After the alleged attacker gained entry to the home, one of the victims texted her partner, urging them to call the police. One of the victims called 999 and alerted the police to the incident before the suspect fled.
Police have said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the murders.
In the Hertfordshire commuter town dozens of bouquets of flowers have been left for the family next to the police cordon at the entrance of Ashlyn Close.
A former colleague of Hannah’s who preferred not to be named said she was still in disbelief that this could happen to “the loveliest family ever”. “I worked with Hannah at a spa just a few years ago [and when] I saw the name of the road on the news, I texted her to say: ‘I hope you and your family are OK’ because you just don’t think something like this would happen.
“They were just lovely, their whole family was lovely. You just think, what was she doing with him? She was so much better than him.
“They wouldn’t have stood a chance. They were proper gentle. I laid a bunch of flowers but it just doesn’t feel like enough,” she said.
A tribute left in a card next to one of the bouquets read: “My Louise, Carol and Hannah, I love you all so much. You are safe now in heaven. I hope you have been reunited with your Nanna, Chester and Fluffy. My soul is tied to yours Louise.
“I promise to live life with the same love and compassion you did. I promise to look after John and Amy and your family forever. May God keep you safe and at peace. Love your Gracie. I am broken without you here, but you will all live in my heart for eternity.
Another tribute said: “Hannah, we are truly devastated, you were the most beautiful person, inside and out. Rest in peace. Rest in peace, beautiful soul.”
Betty, who has lived nearby for more than 40 years, said the family were generous and neighbourly. “It’s just so unbelievable. I knew them to say hello to and when we had the pandemic, John, such a kind man, knocked on my door and said: ‘We’re going shopping, do you need anything from the supermarket?’ Just so lovely,” she said.
Because a subject of a huge police hunt was found with serious injuries, the Metropolitan police, which covers London, referred the case to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
The IOPC said: “Based on the evidence provided, there does not appear to have been any physical contact with Mr Clifford at the time he was seriously injured. Therefore, we were satisfied the matter does not require investigation and it has been returned to the force to deal with.”
