On a Tuesday afternoon in July 2024, the quiet suburb of Bushey, Hertfordshire, became the site of a tragedy that genuinely shook the United Kingdom. It’s the kind of story that feels too dark for reality. Kyle Clifford, a 26-year-old former soldier, entered the home of the Hunt family and committed an act of violence so clinical and cruel it left the nation breathless.
While the headlines focused on the horrific use of a crossbow, there is a human side to this that often gets lost in the clinical nature of crime reporting. That side belongs to the survivors. Specifically, it belongs to John Hunt, the veteran BBC racing commentator, and his eldest daughter, Amy Hunt.
They are the ones left to pick up the pieces.
What Actually Happened in Bushey?
Basically, Kyle Clifford was the ex-boyfriend of Louise Hunt, one of John’s daughters. They had been in a relationship for about 18 months. Louise, who was 25 and ran a dog-grooming business, had ended things with Clifford just 13 days before the attack.
She did everything "by the book." She was mature. She was empathetic. But Clifford didn't want empathy; he wanted control.
On July 9, 2024, Clifford arrived at the house on Ashlyn Close. He had a plan. He’d even searched online to see if John Hunt would be away at a race meeting. He killed Carol Hunt, 61, first. Then he waited. He waited for Louise to come in from her work. He restrained her, raped her, and eventually killed her. When the eldest sister, Hannah, 28, arrived home later, he killed her too.
It was a systematic execution.
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Kyle Clifford and Amy Hunt: Navigating the Aftermath
When we talk about Kyle Clifford and Amy Hunt, we are talking about two diametrically opposed worlds. Clifford represents a horrific escalation of domestic abuse and misogyny. Amy Hunt represents the "gentle heroism" of a survivor forced into a spotlight she never asked for.
Amy wasn't at the house that day. Neither was her father. That fact alone carries a weight of "survivor's guilt" that most of us can’t even imagine. Honestly, how do you process the fact that your entire immediate family was wiped out in a single afternoon?
Amy and John have since become the faces of a very specific kind of grief. They haven't just mourned; they’ve stood up. In the months following the murders, Amy has been vocal about the roots of this violence. She doesn't see it as a "freak accident." She sees it as the result of a culture that radicalizes men.
The Trial and the Whole Life Order
The legal proceedings were a mess of cowardice on Clifford's part. He refused to attend his own trial. He wouldn't even show up for his sentencing. He sat in his cell while the court heard how he had "soaked himself in self-pity."
In March 2025, Justice Joel Bennathan didn't mince words. He handed Clifford a Whole Life Order. This is the toughest sentence in the UK legal system. It means Clifford will die in prison. There is no parole. No light at the end of the tunnel.
The judge noted that Clifford was a man who held women in "utter contempt."
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- Murder Convictions: Three counts (Carol, Hannah, and Louise).
- Other Crimes: Rape, false imprisonment, and possession of offensive weapons.
- The Weapon: A Hori-Zone Kornet MXT-405 compound crossbow.
Misconceptions About the "Signs"
One thing Amy Hunt and her father have been very clear about is the lack of "obvious" red flags. People love to look back and say, "Oh, there must have been signs." They want to believe they’d see it coming.
But the Hunts say Clifford was a "psychopath disguised as an ordinary human being." During their relationship, there were patterns of control—Clifford didn't like Louise wearing makeup or going out without him—but it hadn't escalated to physical violence until the very end.
This is a crucial point.
Abuse isn't always a black eye. Sometimes it’s a slow "sucking the life out of someone," as Louise once described it to a friend. The transition from controlling boyfriend to triple murderer happened with "unprecedented" speed once the breakup was finalized.
The Role of Online Radicalization
During the trial, some chilling details emerged about what Clifford was doing in the days before the attack. He wasn't just buying crossbows and butcher knives. He was consuming content.
Specifically, the court heard that Clifford had been watching videos by self-styled "alpha male" influencers, including Andrew Tate. He’d watched about 10 of these videos in the lead-up to the murders. Prosecutors argued this wasn't a coincidence. It fed into his sense of entitlement. If he couldn't "own" Louise, he would destroy her and everything she loved.
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Amy Hunt’s Mission
Amy has refused to let her sisters and mother be defined solely by how they died. She’s spoken out about how the murders were "rooted in misogyny."
You've probably seen her and John in interviews. They are incredibly composed. It’s almost surreal to watch. But that composure is a choice. It’s a way to reclaim the narrative from the man who tried to end their family’s story. They are advocating for tighter laws on crossbows—which, believe it or not, were almost entirely unregulated in the UK prior to this—and better support for victims of coercive control.
What This Means for You
The case of Kyle Clifford and Amy Hunt isn't just a "true crime" story for the tabloids. It’s a case study in why we need to take "minor" controlling behaviors seriously.
If you or someone you know is dealing with a partner who dictates what you wear, who you see, or tries to "control the narrative" of your life, that is a red flag. It doesn't mean they are a killer, but it means the relationship is toxic.
Practical Steps to Take:
- Trust Your Gut: If a breakup feels "dangerous," it probably is. Don't worry about being "dramatic."
- Document Everything: In the UK, coercive control is a criminal offense. Keep records of threatening texts or behavior.
- Support the Hunt Family’s Cause: Look into organizations like Refuge or Women’s Aid that are working to change the laws around domestic abuse and weapon ownership.
- Recognize the "Homicide Timeline": Experts often point to "Stage 4" (the trigger/separation) as the most dangerous time. If you are leaving a controlling partner, do it with a safety plan involving police or professional services.
The story of the Hunt family is one of unimaginable loss, but through Amy and John, it has also become a story of incredible resilience. Clifford is behind bars for good. Now, the work is about making sure no other family has to face a Tuesday like that one in July.
To protect yourself or a loved one, stay informed about the signs of coercive control. Reach out to local domestic abuse charities if a relationship feels like it’s becoming a cage. Knowledge is the first step toward safety.