Bushey triple murder victims are wife and daughters of BBC racing commentator
Three women who were murdered in a home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, were Carol Hunt, the wife of BBC racing commentator John Hunt, and two of their daughters, the broadcaster has said.
Mr Hunt is a presenter on BBC Radio Five and is often heard presenting horse racing, including the Grand National.
In a note to BBC staff, the broadcaster described the murders as "utterly devastating".
Hertfordshire Police confirmed they have found Kyle Clifford, who is wanted in connection with the triple murder, after a manhunt was launched.
A manhunt has been launched for Kyle Clifford, 26, who is wanted by detectives investigating the murders of three women in Hertfordshire as Sam Holder reports
The 26-year-old was found in the Enfield area, north London. He is receiving medical treatment having been found with injuries.
No shots were fired by police.
Footage posted on social media appeared to show emergency services rushing towards a cemetery in the Hilly Fields area of Enfield.
Armed police could also be seen in the video, but Hertfordshire Police were unable to confirm whether they had narrowed their search for the triple murder suspect to the area.
The cemetery has been closed off and an air ambulance was seen nearby.
Officers and ambulance crews were called to Ashlyn Close at 7pm on Tuesday and found three women with serious injuries. They were aged 25, 28 and 61-years-old, police say.
Emergency medical crews including two air ambulances were sent to try to save the women, who were related, but they all died at the scene.
Police say they believe the attack was targeted.
Police and forensic officers remain on Ashlyn Close today, with a cordon surrounding the scene
Investigators think Clifford could be in Hertfordshire or north London.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Chief Superintendent Jon Simpson of Hertfordshire Police directly addressed Clifford directly, he said: “Kyle, if you are seeing or hearing this, please make contact with the police.”
“We have extensive police resources deployed to various locations in north London and also the Bushey area.
“The manhunt also involves armed police officers and specialist search teams responding at pace in the wake of what has been a horrific incident involving what is currently believed to be a crossbow, but other weapons may also have been used," he said.
A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said she did not know the victims well but they were a friendly family.
“We would see them every day passing by and they would say good morning,” she said.
“It’s really sad what’s happened, very shocking.”
Local councillors for the North Bushey area said they were “deeply shocked and saddened” by the news of the deaths.
Detective Superintendent Rob Hall from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit said: “This is an incredibly difficult incident for the victims’ family and we would ask that their privacy is respected as they come to terms with what has happened.
“Whilst we are still in the early stages of this investigation, we are actively seeking Kyle Clifford who we believe could be in the areas of Hertfordshire or North London.
“Given the serious nature of the incident, I would ask anyone who knows where he is to contact police immediately.
"If you believe you see him, please do not approach him and dial 999 straight away. He may still be in possession of a weapon."
Police have urged anyone who was in the area from around lunchtime on Tuesday until 7pm, who may have seen anything that could help the investigation, to come forward.
“This incident will of course be of concern to local residents. Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team will be in the area today so please do speak to them if you need to,” Detective Superintendent Hall said.
A man who lives close to the murder scene in Bushey said the incident was “tragic”.
Riaz, who is in his 50s and declined to give a second name, said: “At 6 o’clock, my wife called me while I was at work, saying ‘there are so many police cars down the road which I’ve never seen before’, and she was distressed.
“I didn’t know (what had happened) at that point, then at that very moment my nephew phoned me saying something tragic had happened and was I OK?
“It’s a serene, quiet road, but there was over a dozen cars here. It’s quite disturbing, but any tragedy like this has a bearing on how you feel."
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is urging people who know about the case to come forward
The Home Secretary is urgently considering the findings of a Home Office review to see if tougher crossbow laws need to be introduced in the wake of the deaths.
A department spokeswoman said: “This is an appalling incident and the Home Secretary is being kept updated by the police.
“We keep legislation under constant review and a call for evidence was launched earlier this year to look at whether further controls on crossbows should be introduced.
“The Home Secretary will swiftly consider the findings to see if laws need to be tightened further.”
Local councillors for the area Louise Nicolas, Alan Matthews and Paul Richards said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic news that three women have lost their lives in a violent incident which took place in the heart of our local community.
“As North Bushey councillors, we extend our thoughts and condolences to their families and all those affected.
“We would encourage anyone who has information relevant to the inquiry to contact police.”
A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said she did not know the victims well but they were a friendly family.
“We would see them every day passing by and they would say good morning,” she said.
“It’s really sad what’s happened, very shocking.”
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