Kyle Clifford is a 26-year-old former British soldier and security guard who was convicted of the brutal triple murder of Carol Hunt (61), and her daughters Louise (25) and Hannah (28), in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on July 9, 2024. The victims were the wife and daughters of BBC racing commentator John Hunt.
Following the murders, Clifford fled the scene and was found the next day in a cemetery in Enfield, north London, suffering from a self-inflicted chest wound. He was hospitalized and later charged with three counts of murder, one count of false imprisonment, two counts of possession of offensive weapons, and one count of rape. In January 2025, he pleaded guilty to the murders, false imprisonment, and weapon charges but denied the rape charge. However, he was found guilty of rape in March 2025.
In March 2025, Clifford was sentenced to a whole-life order, meaning he will never be released from prison. The judge described him as a “jealous man soaked in self-pity” who held women in utter contempt. During the trial, it was revealed that Clifford had been influenced by misogynistic content, including videos by social media influencer Andrew Tate, which prosecutors argued fueled his violent actions.
Early Life and Background
Birth and Family
Kyle Marcus Clifford was born on April 5, 1998, in Enfield, North London. He was the third of four children in a family with a British father and a Maltese mother. His older brother, Bradley Clifford, was convicted of murder in 2018 for a road rage incident that resulted in the death of an 18-year-old. Bradley was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 23 years. Kyle maintained a close relationship with his brother, who was serving his sentence at the time of the murders.
Education and Early Behavior
Clifford attended local schools in Enfield, where he was reported to have been involved in bullying incidents. He came to the attention of the Metropolitan Police as a teenager for offenses related to possession of cannabis, assault without injury, and theft. However, these matters did not result in charges or convictions.
Military and Career
Military Service
In 2019, Clifford joined the British Army, enlisting in the Queen’s Dragoon Guards. His military career was short-lived, as he left the service in 2022 due to “internal issues,” according to police reports.
Employment History
After leaving the army, Clifford held various low-paying jobs, including a position as a security guard. At the time of the murders, he was unemployed, having recently lost his job at a catering company due to a dispute. He had a history of job instability, which may have contributed to his sense of frustration and inadequacy.
Relationship with Louise Hunt
Clifford began a relationship with Louise Hunt in early 2023. The couple lived together for approximately 18 months. Louise ended the relationship in late June 2024, citing Clifford’s controlling behavior and misogynistic views as reasons for the breakup. Despite the amicable nature of the split, Clifford’s reaction was one of anger and resentment.
The Murders
Planning and Execution
Following the breakup, Clifford meticulously planned the attack. He purchased a crossbow, butcher’s knife, duct tape, and other items, and conducted online searches for horse racing events to determine when John Hunt would be away from home. On July 9, 2024, Clifford approached the Hunt family home under the pretense of returning Louise’s belongings. Once inside, he fatally stabbed Carol Hunt and then waited for Louise to return.
Upon Louise’s arrival, Clifford restrained and raped her before fatally shooting her with the crossbow. When Hannah returned home, she was also shot with the crossbow. Hannah managed to call 999 before succumbing to her injuries.
Manhunt and Arrest
After the murders, Clifford fled the scene and was the subject of a 22-hour manhunt. He was found in a cemetery in Enfield, north London, suffering from a self-inflicted chest wound. Clifford was hospitalized and later charged with three counts of murder, one count of false imprisonment, two counts of possession of offensive weapons, and one count of rape.
Trial and Sentencing
Court Proceedings
In January 2025, Clifford pleaded guilty to the murders, false imprisonment, and weapon charges but denied the rape charge. However, in March 2025, he was found guilty of rape. During sentencing, Justice Joel Bennathan described Clifford as a “jealous man soaked in self-pity” who held women in utter contempt. Clifford was sentenced to a whole-life order, meaning he will never be released from prison. He refused to attend the sentencing hearing, and his victims’ families addressed him in his absence.
Personal Life and Influences
Interest in Misogynistic Content
Prior to the murders, Clifford had been influenced by misogynistic content, including videos by social media influencer Andrew Tate. Prosecutors argued that this content fueled his violent actions. Clifford had watched up to 10 videos of Tate in the days leading up to the attack. The prosecution contended that the violent misogyny promoted by Tate was a significant factor in motivating Clifford’s crime.
Psychological Profile
Clifford was described by police as an “entirely unremarkable individual” who was unable to cope with the rejection from Louise. Detective Chief Inspector Nick Gardner stated that Clifford’s inability to deal with personal affronts led him to resort to extreme levels of violence. His actions were characterized by a sense of entitlement and a lack of empathy for his victims.
Conclusion
Kyle Clifford’s life and actions serve as a tragic reminder of the potential for violence in individuals who may appear ordinary on the surface. His inability to accept rejection, combined with influences from misogynistic content, culminated in a horrific crime that devastated a family and shocked a nation. The case underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing signs of abusive behavior and the impact of harmful online content.
FAQs
What was Kyle Clifford’s sentence?
Kyle Clifford was sentenced to a whole-life order, meaning he will never be released from prison.
Who were the victims of the Bushey triple murder?
The victims were Carol Hunt (61), and her daughters Louise (25) and Hannah (28).
What was Clifford’s relationship with the victims?
Clifford was the ex-boyfriend of Louise Hunt.
How did Clifford gain access to the Hunt family home?
He deceived Carol Hunt into letting him in by claiming he was returning Louise’s belongings.
What weapons did Clifford use in the murders?
Clifford used a butcher’s knife to kill Carol Hunt and a crossbow to kill Louise and Hannah Hunt.
What was Clifford’s background before the murders?
Clifford served briefly in the British Army and worked various jobs, including as a security guard.
Was Clifford influenced by any online content?
Yes, Clifford had watched misogynistic videos by Andrew Tate before committing the murders.
What was the motive behind the murders?
The murders were motivated by Clifford’s inability to accept the end of his relationship with Louise Hunt.
How did the police apprehend Clifford?
Clifford was found in a cemetery in Enfield, north London, suffering from a self-inflicted chest wound.
