BBC racing commentator John Hunt has told friends that every message of support ‘feels like a hug’ following the deaths of his wife and two daughters in a crossbow attack.
Matt Chapman, an ITV commentator, said Mr Hunt was ‘very thankful that people are thinking about’ him and his third daughter, Amy, following the horrific attack in their Hertfordshire home earlier this month.
His wife Carol Hunt, 61, and two of their daughters, Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were found fatally injured at the house in Ashlyn Close, Bushey, on July 9.
Speaking to the BBC, Mr Chapman said Mr Hunt had told him that ‘every message that’s been sent, every one of those messages feels like a hug’.
‘As far as what’s happened, it’s still beyond belief that this could happen to anyone, a family in the world,’ Mr Chapman said. ‘The message from all of us is when you need us [John], we are here.’
It comes as Kyle Clifford, who is the main suspect in the killings, paralysed himself with a self-inflicted wound before he was arrested by police shortly after Mr Hunt’s family were found dead earlier this month.
Carol Hunt, pictured right, was the wife of BBC Radio Five Live racing commentator John Hunt, left. Carol and her two daughters, Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were found fatally injured at the house in Ashlyn Close, Bushey, on July 9
Louise Hunt, pictured, was killed alongside her mother Carol and sister Hannah
Hannah Hunt, pictured, was also killed at the family’s home in Bushey, Hertfordshire
Kyle Clifford, pictured, is believed to have been left paralysed after shooting himself with a crossbow while police searched for him in connection with the killing of three women
The 26-year-old was the subject of a major manhunt by police after the three women, one of whom is believed to be his ex-girlfriend, were found fatally injured and was tracked down to a graveyard in north London less than 24 hours later.
The former soldier and security guard was rushed to hospital after allegedly shooting himself with a crossbow bolt and police are still waiting to question him over the deaths of the women.
But it is now claimed that that Clifford, from Enfield, is still in hospital and has been left paralysed as a result of his injuries.
The suspect is believed to have pierced his spinal cord, leaving him unlikely to walk again, The Sun reports.
The publication claims that although Clifford has regained consciousness, police are waiting for medics to give the all clear before interviewing him.
Despite being arrested on suspicion of three counts of murder the time limit on how long officers have to question him will only begin ticking down once they formally begin to quiz him.
Hertfordshire Police told The Sun: ‘The Major Crime Unit continues to investigate the incident.
‘We would not comment on details of an individual’s medical condition.’
The brutal killings of Carol, Hannah and Louise left the nation in shock and devastated John and his remaining daughter Amy.
Clifford was found with serious injuries at Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield, north London. Pictured is an armed police officer on patrol in the cemetery on Wednesday, July 10
Clifford, 26, was discovered by police near headstones in Enfield’s Lavender Hill Cemetery
In a statement released after their deaths, John and Amy said: ‘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.
‘While this is happening, we would ask that our privacy and that of our wider family and relations be respected at this time. Thank you.’
There has been an outpouring of support for John, who has worked for the BBC for 30 years and was a proud family man who often waxed lyrical about his three daughters.
In an interview before the tragedy, the broadcaster told colleagues how he had been looking forward to his beloved wife joining him in Paris when he covered the Olympics next month.
In a further statement Matt Chapman read to Sky Sports Racing viewers, John paid tribute to his ‘magnificently inspirational’ surviving daughter.
He said: ‘Notwithstanding the horrid evil that’s swept through our lives, wreaking devastation on an unimaginable scale, the counter to that has been the breathtaking messages of support, some of which are still to be read.
‘Amy, my eldest daughter, has been magnificently inspirational with her control and support for me, which I am trying, trying so hard, to replicate.
‘Every message has felt so important, the same as a reassuring hug.
‘We know people are worried about us, we will get through this. Sending love to everyone, John.’
Police launched an urgent manhunt for Clifford after the three women’s bodies were found at a home on Ashlyn Close in Bushey on July 9.
After a massive manhunt lasting nearly 24 hours, police tracked down the suspect – a former soldier – to Lavender Hill cemetery in Enfield.
He was found with self-inflicted stab wounds to his chest and underwent life-saving surgery.
Pictures of the victims were included amid floral tributes left at the scene of the killings
Handwritten messages of sympathy were provided in cards placed by wellwishers
Friends and relatives left floral tributes near the home where the three women were killed
Hertfordshire Police later confirmed they were waiting for medics to give the go ahead for them to speak to Clifford.
They confirmed that, although he has been arrested over the deaths, the usual time limit for a suspect to be held in custody does not yet apply.
Detective Superintendent 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.’
Friends of the Hunt family attended a vigil at St James’ Church in Bushey on Thursday and paid tribute to Mrs Hunt and her daughters.
Lea Holloway, 60, a childhood friend of Carol Hunt, described her as a ‘beautiful person’.
She said: ‘This is the stuff nightmares are made of. They were a lovely family and (the daughters) were lovely girls.
‘They were making their way through life and their lives have been taken too soon. It’s the thing of nightmares. I feel for their eldest daughter and John (Hunt). I can’t imagine what it would be like.’
After being joined by two other close friends, Dionne Smith, 58, and Abigail Phillips, 58, the trio told reporters: ‘We were a four, and now there’s only three. It doesn’t seem real. We are together in grief.’
