Kyle Clifford bought rope and weapons before murdering Louise Hunt and her family in a brutal attack. He denies raping Louise.
Kyle Clifford admitted to killing three people. The victims include Louise Hunt, Carol Hunt, and Hannah Hunt. He also admitted to false imprisonment and pleaded guilty to possessing offensive weapons. He denies raping Louise on July 9th, the day the family was killed at their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire.
Footage showed Clifford buying items he used in the murders. Jurors learned Clifford planned to attack Louise because she broke up with him. He bought rope at a Toolstation in Enfield, spending £14.75 on 30 meters of rope. Five days before the killings, he bought petrol cans at Halfords, allegedly planning to destroy evidence.
Clifford bought tape at B&Q, which he used to restrain Louise before she died, the court heard. Jurors learned he bought a crossbow online, spending £357 on it and six bolts. He also purchased a butchering knife from Amazon for £89. He wrote a note to his family, saying he didn’t want to live without her.
Clifford tricked his way into Louise’s home by telling Carol he wanted to return belongings. Carol was married to John, a BBC commentator. Screams were heard around 2:40 PM; she suffered five brutal knife attacks. Clifford moved her body and covered her with blankets in a small room.
Louise arrived home around 4:12 PM; she worked at a dog grooming business. A faint scream was then heard, followed by a high-pitched scream at 4:26 PM. Loud banging sounds also occurred as Louise was being restrained with tape. The tape silenced her and left her helpless.
The prosecution says Clifford raped Louise while she was restrained. The location of the rape isn’t clear, but it might have occurred in the snug room where Carol’s body was, facing away. Louise was restrained for over two hours. Clifford texted her dad from her phone, asking when he would be home.
He searched smoke alarms on Louise’s phone, it was said. Two empty petrol cans sat in his car. The prosecution implied he thought about burning evidence. At 6:50 PM, a “whooshing” sound occurred; this was the crossbow firing, killing Louise. Hannah arrived home at the same time and spoke to her mom, unaware of the murders.
Hannah realized Clifford was there and swore at him. The court heard Hannah screamed, “oh my god,” and asked him: “What the f**k is wrong with you?” She bravely texted her partner at 6:52 PM, telling him to call the police because Clifford was tying them up.
Another “whoosh” sound occurred two minutes later. Jurors believe Clifford shot Hannah with the crossbow before fleeing the house, armed. Hannah uttered “mum, Louise” before screaming.
Louise ended her relationship with Clifford on June 26th, saying she felt bad in their relationship. On June 30th, Clifford searched for crossbows online and visited websites where he could buy them. Clifford also accessed pornography.
On July 1st, Clifford viewed Carol Hunt’s Facebook page. He talked to his brother about buying a crossbow and also searched for air rifles online. On July 3rd, Clifford bought a crossbow, bolts, and a rope-cocking device. He also purchased a CO2 air pistol, which the company recalled after they heard about the attacks.
On July 4th, Clifford purchased petrol cans, going to Halfords and B&Q. He bought two rolls of duct tape and researched how to uncock a crossbow. He fired a crossbow bolt into a tree. Louise made a note titled “When you’re sad, look,” which said Clifford was “racist,” disliked transgender people, and used “belittling language.”
On July 5th, Clifford researched knives. On July 6th, he got an update on his knife purchase, which was a high-level butchering steel knife. The packaging was at his home, but police never found the knife itself.
On July 9th at 1:07 PM, Clifford left home armed with a knife and a crossbow. At 1:48 PM, Clifford looked up “horse racing today” to check if Louise’s dad would be working. At 2:32 PM, Clifford knocked on the Hunt’s door. He had a black rucksack, allegedly holding a knife, and told Carol he would return items.
Between 2:39 PM and 2:45 PM, Clifford murdered Carol with a knife attack. Screams and banging sounds came from the house. At 3:10 PM, Clifford retrieved the crossbow, which was under a white cloth in his car.
At 4:13 PM, after Louise entered the home, a faint scream occurred. Between 4:13 PM and 6:50 PM, Clifford restrained Louise with duct tape around her ankles and wrists. The prosecution alleges Clifford raped her during this time.
Between 5:37 PM and 5:43 PM, it’s alleged Clifford checked Louise’s phone, seeing who she contacted and her Instagram activity. At 5:44 PM, Clifford told his sister he shot his crossbow at a friend’s house; it was not illegal.
At 5:52 PM, Clifford texted John Hunt from Louise’s phone, asking what time he would be home. At 5:57 PM, Clifford looked up smoke detectors online. The prosecution said he planned to destroy evidence with fire.
At 6:50 PM, Louise Hunt was murdered using a crossbow. Hannah Hunt arrived at the house shortly after. At 6:51 PM, Hannah realized Clifford was there and shouted, “What is wrong with you?” High-pitched noises were heard.
At 6:52 PM, Hannah texted her partner for help, telling him to call the police and that Kyle was at the house tying them up. At 6:54 PM, Hannah Hunt was shot by Clifford using the crossbow.
At 6:55 PM, Clifford left the house, hiding the crossbow and rucksack. At 6:57 PM, a female screamed inside the house, shouting “Oh my God, no.” Hannah Hunt realized the others were attacked.
At 6:58 PM, Hannah used Carol’s phone to call 999 and identify Clifford. At 7:10 PM, emergency services arrived. Carol and Louise were found dead. Resuscitation attempts failed on Hannah.
Hannah identified Clifford as the attacker. When police came, Hannah was in the doorway. Louise