News24 | Manhunt underway after 3 women killed in London crossbow attack

Armed police officers and search teams in north London are on the hunt for Kyle Clifford, who is wanted in connection with an alleged crossbow attack that left three women dead. (Facebook/Herts Police)

• A manhunt is underway in north London for Kyle Clifford, 26, who is wanted in connection with the crossbow murder of three women.
• Police discovered the victims with serious injuries on Tuesday evening; all three died from their injuries.
• Authorities, including armed officers and specialist search teams, are currently seeking Clifford, believed to be armed and in the Hertfordshire or North London area.

Police in north London are on the hunt for Kyle Clifford, a 26-year-old man wanted in connection with the alleged crossbow murders of three women.

Police were summoned to a property in Ashlyn Close, Bushey, on Tuesday evening, where they found three women with serious injuries. The women, aged 25, 28 and 61, are believed to be related. All three died from their injuries.

According to AFP, the BBC confirmed on its news website that the victims were Carol Hunt, the wife of BBC Five Live racing commentator John Hunt, and their two daughters.

A neighbour told reporters the victims 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.”

According to the police, the weapon used in the incident was a crossbow, but other weapons may also have been used.

There is no licence required to own a crossbow in the UK, but it is illegal to carry one in public without a reasonable excuse.

“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,” said Detective Superintendent Rob Hall from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit in a statement.

Hall said the murder investigation was in its early stages, but police were actively seeking Clifford, who hails from Enfield. He is believed to be in Hertfordshire or North London.

Chief Superintendent Jon Simpson, the head of local policing for the Hertfordshire Constabulary, said the manhunt involved armed police officers and specialist search teams responding at pace.

“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,” said Hall.

Hall said police enquiries would continue over the coming days to gain an understanding of the triple murder’s full circumstances.

“…I would also like to take this opportunity to appeal to anyone who was in the area around Ashlyn Close from around lunchtime on Tuesday until 19:00, and believes they may have seen anything that could assist the investigation, to contact us,” he added.

Interior minister Yvette Cooper said the deaths were “truly shocking” and added that she was being kept updated about the inquiry.

– Additional reporting by AFP

Editor’s note: This article has been updated with additional information.