BBC presenter John Hunt has heartbreaking message for public after wife and daughters were killed in crossbow attack
BBC presenter John Hunt has issued a heartbreaking message after his wife and two daughters were killed in a devastating crossbow attack.
The commentator's wife, Carol Hunt, 61 along with two of their daughters, Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were found fatally injured at their residence in Hertfordshire last week on 9 July.
Two days after the attack on Thursday evening (11 July), 26-year-old Kyle Clifford from Enfield was arrested on suspicion of three counts of murder.
Hertfordshire Constabulary said he remained injured in hospital.
Advert
Det Supt Rob Hall, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: "Our thoughts remain with the victims’ family at this tragic time.
"The investigation is moving at pace and as a result, we have now arrested a man. Inquiries are continuing at this time."
John and his surviving daughter Amy paid tribute to Carol, Hannah and Louise over the weekend (13 July), saying in a statement: "The devastation that we are experiencing cannot be put into words.
"We would like to thank people for their kind messages and for the support we have received in recent days. These have provided great comfort to us for which we are very grateful.
"As you can imagine, this is an extremely difficult time for us, and we need time and space to come to terms with what has happened and start the grieving process."
John's friend, Matt Chapman, has since set up a fundraiser to raise money for John and his family - in particular Amy - following the horrific murders.
Writing in the GoFundMe, Chapman explained: "Family means more to some than others and for John, his family unit was something he absolutely adored."
He also told the BBC: "There are a lot of people, including myself, who feel helpless and would like to do something.
"John would like nothing more for Amy after these horrific events than a life that is a little less stressful, because life will never be stress-free again.
"It's not going to take their grief away - it's not going to take the pain away or change anything - but it might help them have an easier life."
Chapman, who is also a commentator, shared that he had been in regular contact with the 'very talented' John following the devastating loss, and revealed the heartbreaking message his friend had for him in the wake of his loss.
"He told me: 'Matty, the message I would tell everyone is you never know when it's going to be the last day you see your family'," Chapman said.
"The message was very clear: make the most of every day because you just don't know."
You can donate to the GoFundMe here.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.
Rhiannon Ingle