Crossbow killer Kyle Clifford's 'fourth victim' who escaped thanks to Hannah Hunt's brave move

BBC star John Hunt lost his wife and two of his daughters at the hands of evil Kyle Clifford. The murderer fatally stabbed 61-year-old Carol and raped his former partner Louise before using a crossbow to shoot both her and her sister Hannah.

The unspeakable acts took place at the family home of the racing commentator in Bushey, Hertfordshire, in July last year and Clifford was later handed three life sentences with three whole life orders at Cambridge Crown Court. The evil killer was said to have grown angry when Louise, 25, ended their relationship and tricked his way into the family home by telling Carol, 61, he wanted to return some of his ex's belongings.

As the first anniversary of the murders approaches, John and his surviving daughter Amy Hunt gave an emotional interview to the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire about their lost loved ones. "From the moment I wake up, I say good morning to each of them," John said touchingly. "They're very close to me all the time."

READ MORE: John Hunt reveals cruel 'joke' made by Kyle Clifford before he murdered family

Clifford, a former soldier, subjected John's family to a five hour ordeal at the house that day. He stabbed Carol eight times before waiting in the house for Louise to come back inside from her dog grooming pod in the garden. When she did, he restrained, raped and killed her with a crossbow. He then shot Hannah, 28, with the crossbow when she returned to the home.

In her dying moments, Hannah messaged her boyfriend Alex and managed to 999, telling them what happened and who was responsible. She was still alive when police arrived but later died from her wounds.

John believes Clifford planned to kill him too and credits his late daughter with saving his life. "Police officers of 30 years' experience had their breath taken away by how brave she was," he said. "How she was able to think so clearly in that moment, to know what she needed to do."

Asked by the presenter if Hannah's actions saved him, John added: "That's what I believe. I said it in court and I said many, many times, her doing that has given me life. And I've used that to re-ground myself on a daily basis."

Following the murders, a manhunt for Clifford ended when he was found in a cemetery in Enfield, north London, where he had shot and paralysed himself with a crossbow. In his subsequent trial, Mr Justice Bennathan described Clifford as a man "soaked in self-pity" who held women "in utter contempt".

Of his three victims, the judge added: "They showed a gentle heroism of which you, Kyle Clifford, could only dream."