The brutal murders of Carol, Louise, and Hannah Hunt shocked the nation, but the case took an even darker turn when Kyle Clifford was found guilty of raping his ex-girlfriend, Louise, just moments before her death.
Clifford, a 26-year-old former soldier, had already admitted to the murders, but his trial exposed more harrowing details of his crimes.
A Relationship Marked by Control and Resentment
Clifford’s relationship with Louise Hunt had been troubled, with friends and family describing him as “belittling” and “disrespectful.”
Louise ended the relationship after a wedding trip to Scarborough, where Clifford openly bragged about being with other women and made demeaning comments about her.
He refused to accept the breakup, and in a terrifying act of vengeance, he planned an attack that would leave an entire family devastated.
The Day of Horror
On July 9, 2023, Clifford arrived at the Hunts’ home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, under the pretense of returning some of Louise’s belongings.
Carol Hunt, 61, who was home at the time, expressed her discomfort but let him in.
Moments later, Clifford launched a brutal knife attack, killing her in cold blood.
He then waited for Louise to return from work, ambushing her as she stepped inside.
Over the next two and a half hours, he restrained, gagged, and raped her before ending her life with a crossbow bolt to the chest.
Audio recordings captured the horrifying moment, with a chilling “whooshing” sound as the bolt was fired.
Hannah, 28, arrived shortly after, sensing something was wrong.
Her last words, “Kyle, I swear to god…”, were heard on the recording before she desperately sent a text to her partner, pleading for help. Minutes later, another crossbow bolt ended her life.
Swift Justice
The jury took just 45 minutes to unanimously convict Clifford of rape, reinforcing the prosecution’s argument that he had planned not just the murders, but the sexual assault as an act of control and final dominance over Louise.
In her closing statement, prosecutor Alison Morgan KC emphasized that Clifford’s actions were deliberate and calculated, stating, “If he couldn’t have Louise, no one else could.”
The Aftermath and Clifford’s Fate
After committing the horrific crimes, Clifford fled the scene and was found the next day hiding in Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield, North London.
As officers approached, he attempted to take his own life with the crossbow, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down.
Clifford had previously admitted to three counts of murder, false imprisonment, and possession of weapons, but his additional conviction for rape confirmed the full extent of his crimes.
He is set to be sentenced on Tuesday, with the families of his victims hoping for the maximum possible punishment.
A Family’s Legacy Shattered
The Hunt family’s loss is immeasurable.
Carol, Louise, and Hannah were loved by many, and their deaths have left a deep wound in their community.
Louise’s friends and family had long seen Clifford’s abusive tendencies, describing him as having a “nasty temper” and being “arrogant and controlling.”
His fascination with Andrew Tate’s misogynistic content only fueled his dangerous mindset.
As justice is served, the case stands as a chilling reminder of the dangers of unchecked obsession, control, and violence against women.