Warning: distressing content. In the weeks before Louise Hunt was violently raped and murdered by her ex Kyle Clifford, she wrote a note on her phone to read when she felt ‘sad’
Heartbroken father John Hunt is incredibly proud of his daughter Louise Hunt’s bravery in her final few weeks.
The BBC racing commentator tragically lost his wife, Carol, 61, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28, last July when the three women were brutally murdered in their family home in Bushey, Hertfordshire. Louise’s vile ex, Kyle Clifford, violently attacked and killed them 13 days after she broke up with him.
Earlier this week, Clifford, 26, was sentenced to life behind bars without the possibility of parole for his heinous crimes, and in a final insult to the Hunt family, he refused to attend the hearing. John moved the court to tears as he read aloud his incredibly touching victim impact statement aimed at Clifford.
Grief-stricken John described the killer as “callous, cowardly and vindictive” and was visibly emotional as he spoke of the horrific ordeal. With his surviving daughter Amy supporting him, he bravely said: “I so wanted to deliver these words, eye to eye with Kyle. I will continue to act as if I am doing so.”
He shared how proud he was of his girls, and how impossible life felt after losing three-quarters of his family. In his statement, the father-of-three described a note Louise left on her phone, which she wrote after breaking up with Clifford. He said: “I often think of the list Louise wrote to herself to remind her of the reasons that you fell short.
“The racism. She was rightly disgusted by that. Your belittling language. The fact that your family is a mess. Like any women should be allowed to do, she worked you out despite repeated deceit and said enough is enough.”
John proudly went on: “I hope women around the world will take Louise’s bravery as a shining beacon for their lives. If you feel enough is enough, then it is.” He described Clifford as a psychopath who disguised himself as an ordinary human being, and said “the screams of hell” would be waiting for him.
During the trial, Louise’s list was made public, as she laid out the reasons why she should “not be sad” about ending the relationship. The court heard she titled the note, “When you’re sad, look!”, and it included reasons such as his “racist comments” and his views on transgender people, and his family being a “mess”.
She noted his “road rage”, as well as his use of “belittling” language. The note also referenced Clifford’s brother Bradley Clifford, who had previously been jailed for life for murder. Louise had noted that Clifford had not found what his brother had done to be “horrendous”, and had continued to see him every other week.
Paying tribute to his late wife and daughters, John also said in his impact statement: “I am so proud of all my girls. Unlike you, Kyle, at every step of their lives, they made the correct choices to improve themselves as people. Louise, she enjoyed more success and fulfilment in one morning than you achieved in your entire miserable life.”
Louise had courageously ended their 18-month relationship two weeks before the massacre, and while Clifford appeared to be amicable, he secretly concocted a twisted plan to kill her and her family. On July 9, 2024, at 1.48pm, Clifford parked up near their home and took a black rucksack, carrying a 10in butcher’s knife, to the front door.
He told Carol he had written a card to say bye, before asking to return Louise’s possessions. Within a minute of stepping inside, he launched a violent attack on mum Carol and stabbed her eight times. At 3.07pm, he returned to his car to collect a crossbow, which he carried hidden under a white blanket, and waited for Louise to finish work.
At 4.12pm, he tied her up with duct tape and rope, raped her and shot her in her back with a crossbow. When her older sister Hannah returns home at 6.50pm, he fatally shot her too. She incredibly managed to make a 999 call and messaged her boyfriend to raise the alarm. Emergency services arrived at 7.10pm and she sadly died shortly after.
For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk.
