Kyle Clifford, a 26-year-old convicted murderer, has been found guilty of raping his ex-partner in a violent and premeditated attack that led to the brutal killing of three women. Clifford was convicted at Cambridge Crown Court following a swift jury decision, which took just 45 minutes to reach a guilty verdict. The court accepted the prosecution’s argument that his rape of Louise Hunt was a “violent, sexual act of spite.”
The defendant refused to appear in court, remaining in his cell at HMP Belmarsh during the proceedings. His crimes, described by the judge as “almost unspeakable,” were driven by rage after his 25-year-old ex-girlfriend ended their 18-month relationship. Enraged, Clifford meticulously planned the attack on the Hunt family home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on 9th July.
A premeditated killing spree
Clifford gained entry to the family home by deceiving 61-year-old Carol Hunt, the wife of BBC racing commentator John Hunt. Once inside, he carried out a brutal knife attack, stabbing Carol to death. After murdering her, he remained inside the house for an hour, waiting for Louise to return.
When Louise arrived, Clifford restrained her, subjected her to a violent sexual assault, and ultimately killed her using a crossbow. The third victim, 28-year-old Hannah Hunt, was shot with the same weapon upon returning home from work, unaware of the horror unfolding inside.
Clifford had already admitted to three counts of murder, as well as charges of false imprisonment and possession of offensive weapons—including the crossbow and knife used in the killings. As the jury delivered the guilty verdict, members of the public gallery erupted into cheers, with some individuals audibly celebrating justice being served.
Influence of Andrew Tate and online searches
Prosecutors highlighted Clifford’s fixation on controversial social media influencer Andrew Tate, whose promotion of violent misogyny is believed to have fuelled his actions. Less than 24 hours before the killings, Clifford searched for Tate’s podcast.
The court also heard that Clifford had hidden his relationships with other women from Louise, despite being active on dating apps such as Hinge and Bumble. His aggressive behaviour had raised concerns among Louise’s friends and family long before the attack.
Chilling evidence from the crime scene
Disturbing details emerged during the trial about how Clifford executed his plan. Customers of Louise’s dog grooming business—located in a pod in the family’s garden—were walking past the house, unaware that Carol had already been murdered inside.
Shortly after Louise entered the property, a faint scream was heard. She was later discovered restrained with tape around her wrists and ankles.
Hannah’s final moments were also captured in chilling evidence. Upon entering the house, she is heard in an audio recording saying, “Kyle, I swear to God,” seemingly realising the horror unfolding before her. Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC revealed that Hannah had texted her partner, Alex Klein, urgently instructing him to “call police… immediately. To mine. Now. Kyle here. Police now. He’s tying us up.”
Clifford’s escape and capture
Following the murders, Clifford fled the scene, prompting a manhunt that lasted several hours. He was eventually found severely injured in Lavender Hill Cemetery, Enfield, having shot himself in the chest with the same crossbow used in the attacks. The self-inflicted wound left him paralysed from the chest down.
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Evidence presented in court painted a disturbing picture of Clifford’s character. Louise had documented his racist and transphobic remarks in her phone just days before the attack, describing his use of “belittling language” and “nasty temper.” Her sister, Hannah, had previously warned that he was “disrespectful, rude and arrogant.”
Premeditation and disturbing online activity
In the days leading up to the attack, Clifford conducted online searches for purchasing a crossbow. He also accessed pornography, including a video featuring former HMP Wandsworth prison officer Linda De Sousa Abreu, who was convicted of engaging in sexual activity with a prisoner last year.
Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC stated that Clifford’s actions demonstrated “violent intentions through the use of weapons and his sexual preoccupations.”
Sentencing awaited
Kyle Clifford will be sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court on Tuesday, where he is expected to receive a life sentence. The case has reignited concerns over the influence of online misogyny and the role of social media in radicalising violent offenders.
For the Hunt family, justice has been served, but nothing can undo the devastating loss of three innocent lives.
