British police launched a wide-ranging search and capture operation on Wednesday for the suspected murderer of three women, aged 25, 28 and 61, at his home in Bushey, part of the London metropolitan area. Identified as Kyle Clifford, 26, the fugitive was carrying a crossbow, and authorities suspect he used that weapon to kill the three victims.
The crime scene is the home of John Hunt, a married father of three daughters, a well-known radio commentator on horse racing who works for the BBC. The victims of the attack, as confirmed by the network, are the commentator’s wife, Carol Hunt, and two of his daughters.
Currently, no licence is required in the UK to obtain a crossbow. There are an estimated 250,000 to 300,000 in circulation.
“Our aim is to keep people safe and to track down Clifford who is wanted in connection with the murder of the three women, which we believe to be a premeditated crime,” said Hertfordshire County Sheriff’s Superintendent Jon Simpson. Police believe the suspect intended to kill all three victims. “Police officers and search and trace specialists are involved in the manhunt in response to a horrific incident in which we believe a crossbow was used, although other weapons have not been ruled out.”
The officer has made a direct appeal to the alleged attacker to contact the police on 999 and turn himself in.
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Screams of women
The crime took place at around 7pm on Tuesday, according to police. A local witness told PA Media how he heard “screams like those of children, then something like a shrill scream, and then what was clearly a woman’s scream.” Several police vehicles gathered around the house shortly afterwards, and officers told residents to stay inside.
The search for Clifford was launched in the early hours of Wednesday morning, with armed officers searching each home near the crime scene one by one.
The new Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, remains informed of the progress of the operation. “The deaths of three women in Bushey last night are shocking,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “I ask the public to support Hertfordshire Police with all the information they have.”
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