Kyle Clifford, a 26-year-old triple killer, has been convicted of raping his ex-partner Louise Hunt before murdering her, her sister Hannah, and their mother Carol in a premeditated crossbow and knife attack.
A jury at Cambridge Crown Court took just 45 minutes to find Clifford guilty of rape, ruling that the act was a “violent, sexual act of spite”. The defendant had already pleaded guilty to three counts of murder, false imprisonment, and possession of offensive weapons.
Clifford refused to leave his HMP Belmarsh cell during the trial and was convicted in his absence.
Premeditated Murder in Bushey Home
The horrific events unfolded on July 9, 2024, when Clifford, enraged by Louise ending their 18-month relationship, carried out a meticulously planned attack at the Hunt family home in Ashlyn Close, Bushey, Hertfordshire.
Prosecutors said Clifford gained access to the home by deceiving 61-year-old Carol Hunt, the wife of BBC racing commentator John Hunt, before stabbing her to death in a brutal knife attack.
After killing Carol, Clifford lay in wait for Louise, restrained and raped her before fatally shooting her with a crossbow.
When 28-year-old Hannah Hunt returned home from work, she texted her partner Alex Klein in distress:
“Call police… immediately. To mine. Now. Kyle here. Police now. He’s tying us up.”
Moments later, Clifford shot and killed Hannah with the same crossbow.
Influence of Online Radicalisation
The prosecution argued that Clifford was influenced by “violent misogyny” promoted by controversial social media figure Andrew Tate. The court heard that just 24 hours before the murders, Clifford searched for Tate’s podcasts online.
Additionally, Clifford hid affairs with multiple women, actively used dating apps like Hinge and Bumble, and had a history of aggressive and controlling behavior towards Louise.
Arrest and Aftermath
Following the murders, Clifford fled, sparking a major manhunt. He was later found injured in Lavender Hill Cemetery, Enfield, after attempting to take his own life by shooting himself in the chest with the same crossbow.
The self-inflicted injury left him paralysed from the chest down.
Courtroom Reactions and Sentencing
As the guilty verdict was announced in court, cheers and applause erupted from the public gallery, with some weeping in relief.
Clifford is set to be sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court on Tuesday, 11 March.
