BBC presenter Mark Chapman delivered an emotional on-air tribute to his ‘colleague and friend’ John Hunt after his wife and two daughters were killed at their home on Tuesday night.
Kyle Clifford, 26, is suspected of triple murder and was found by armed police at a cemetery in Enfield on Wednesday afternoon following a huge manhunt.
Carol Hunt, 61, and her two daughters Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, who is the ex-girlfriend of Clifford, were found fatally injured inside their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on Tuesday evening and died shortly after at the scene.
John Hunt is a BBC Five Live racing commentator and ahead of the broadcaster’s coverage of England’s Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands on Wednesday night, Chapman started the programme with a moving message to listeners.
‘Good evening from Germany, we have a football match to bring you tonight and we will do and we will start our build-up to it shortly,’ Chapman said.
‘But this has been a heartbreaking day, John Hunt is our colleague and our friend, not just to the current 5 Live Sport team but all of those who worked here with him over the past 20 years and also to all of you who have enjoyed his superb commentaries.
‘So on behalf of everybody connected to 5 Live Sport, our love, thoughts and support are with John and his family.’
BBC broadcaster John Murray also paid tribute to John Hunt on air.
‘There is no one at BBC sport more supportive and enthusiastic than John,’ Murray said.
‘All of us send or love to John and his family.’
In a note sent to BBC 5 Live staff on Wednesday, the broadcaster described the incident as ‘utterly devastating’.
The note read: ‘The news today about John Hunt’s family is utterly devastating.
‘Our thoughts are with John and his family at this incredibly difficult time and we will provide him with all the support we can.’
Following Clifford’s capture in Enfield, he was stretchered away while receiving medical treatment before being taken to Royal London Hospital.
Police said ‘no shots were fired by police’ during the capture while Clifford is currently being treated at a major trauma centre for his injuries.
A London Ambulance spokesperson said: ‘Ambulance crews and London’s air ambulance attended an incident in Lavender Hill Cemetery, Enfield, this afternoon. We treated a man at the scene and took him to a major trauma centre.’
Detective Inspector Justine Jenkins from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit said: Following extensive enquiries, the suspect has been located and nobody else is being sought in connection with the investigation at this time.
‘We have had an overwhelming number of calls and would like to express our gratitude to the members of the public who have contacted us.
‘We would still appeal for anyone with information or footage to please contact police directly and refrain from commenting on social media as this could affect the progress of the case.’
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