Tributes continue to be paid to three women killed in an “utterly devastating” crossbow attack.
Carol Hunt and her two daughters, Hannah Hunt, 28, and Louise Hunt, 25, were found injured at a home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on Tuesday and died shortly after at the scene. It emerged on Wednesday that they were the family of the BBC racing commentator John Hunt.
Kyle Clifford, 26, is receiving medical treatment at a hospital in London after being sought by police in connection with the incident.
Officers were conducting further searches at a house in Rendlesham Road in Enfield, north London, which is understood to be linked to Clifford. Police staff wearing gloves and face masks were seen outside the property, which was first searched on Wednesday.
On Thursday, colleagues of Hannah Hunt, who worked as a beautician, paid tribute to the “fantastic therapist”. In a post on Facebook, the Anti-Ageing Clinic, based in Radlett, Hertfordshire, said it was with “deep regret and sadness” that they learned of the “horrific murder on Tuesday night of our skin therapist Hannah”.
They said: “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.”
Glyn Nicholas, 77, who lives on the same road as the victims, said: “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.”
He said they were a “very close-knit family and they used to love the street”.
Su Kehinde, 60, who lives nearby, spoke after laying flowers at a makeshift memorial near the police cordon. “They were the loveliest, gentlest family. They were the meekest human beings. They did not deserve this. They were beautiful souls.”
Her daughter April, 32, said that Hannah “always had a smile”. She added: “She was hard-working, a hard grafter and really gentle.”
A note sent to staff at BBC Radio 5 Live on Wednesday said the organisation would provide John Hunt with “all the support we can”. It said: “The news today about John Hunt’s family is utterly devastating. Our thoughts are with John and his family at this incredibly difficult time and we will provide him with all the support we can.”
The former BBC racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght said: “There are no words. 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.
“But I know I’m speaking for the whole racing community and the whole wider sports media community as well, both of which he’s been part of for so long, when I say everyone is sending sympathy, love and support to him. It’s just awful.”
The ITV and Sky Sports racing commentator Matt Chapman said: “News like this is shocking enough but on a personal level even more so when it involves a friend and colleague you totally respect. There are no words here. Just the wish to let John know we love him and racing loves him. There are loads of us who he can talk to should he need or want to. John is an outstanding commentator and broadcaster – but he’s also just a lovely bloke.”
A statement from Sky Sports Racing said: “Everyone at Sky Sports Racing is deeply saddened by the tragic deaths in Hertfordshire and our thoughts are with our colleague John Hunt, his family and friends at this awful time.”
