A woman and her two daughters have been killed and police have launched a manhunt for a man believed to be armed with a crossbow.
Police said they were searching for a 26-year-old man, named as Kyle Clifford, in connection with the Tuesday evening (early Wednesday AEST) deaths, who could be in north London or the neighbouring county of Hertfordshire.
The BBC named the victims as Carol Hunt – the wife of the BBC Racing radio commentator John Hunt – and two of their daughters.
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Police were called just before 7pm to a house on Ashlyn Close in Bushey, Hertfordshire, where they found three seriously injured women.
All the women later died from their injuries, according to police, who said they were 25, 28 and 61 and killed in what was believed to be a “targeted incident”.
Chief Superintendent Jon Simpson of Hertfordshire Police said a crossbow was believed to have been used.
“The manhunt also involves armed police officers and specialist search teams responding at pace in the wake of what has been an horrific incident, involving what is currently believed to be a crossbow and other weapons may also have been used,” he said.
Police, who searched for Clifford throughout the night, asked the public not to approach the suspect.
“Given the serious nature of the incident, I would ask anyone who knows where he is to contact police immediately,” Detective Superintendent Rob Hall from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire major crime unit said.
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“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.”
Hall appealed for anyone who saw anything on the street between about midday and 7pm on Tuesday to come forward and said local policing units would be on hand if concerned residents needed to talk.
“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,” he said.
“Whilst we are still in the early stages of this investigation, we are actively seeking Kyle Clifford who we believe could be in the areas of Hertfordshire or North London.”
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British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she was being kept “fully updated” by police on the ongoing manhunt.
“The loss of three women’s lives in Bushey last night is truly shocking,” Cooper wrote on X on Wednesday.
“My thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have been killed & with the community.
“I am being kept fully updated. I urge people to support Hertfordshire Police with any information about this case.”
A neighbour of the victims told PA Media she “would see them every day passing by and they would say good morning”.
“It’s really sad what’s happened, very shocking,” she added.
Police did not say whether Clifford, who is from London, was connected to the women.
“Kyle, if you are seeing or hearing this, please make contact with the police,” Simpson said.
– Reported with CNN and Associated Press
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