BBC Journalist’s Daughter Killed in Crossbow Attack Texted for Help in Last Moments

Content warning: this article includes graphic descriptions of fatal injuries.

More tragic details about the final moments of John Hunt’s family members have emerged.

After the BBC journalist’s wife Carol, 61, and daughters Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were killed in a crossbow attack in their own home July 9, an inquest held on July 30 revealed additional details about their deaths.

While Hannah later succumbed to her injuries, she was still alive when police arrived at the family’s home, according to The Guardian, citing the inquest, and had reached out for help during the July 9 attack.

Hannah sent a text to an unnamed individual saying she had been “tied up” by an intruder, a coroner’s officer shared at the inquest, per the Guardian. She also asked the recipient to call the police and adding that the attacker was still in the family’s home.

She was reportedly then able to dial 999—the local emergency line—reporting she as well as her sister and her mother had been shot and managed to supply her address before the call cut out.

The inquest also heard that Hannah and Louise died from crossbow wounds, while Carol died from stab wounds to her chest and abdomen.

Two days after the fatal attack, 26-year-old Kyle Clifford—who police said during a press conference they believed was connected to the family—was detained following a manhunt in connection to the crime.  

As of July 30 police have been unable to interview Kyle due to unspecified injuries he was found with, according to the BBC. However, the Hertfordshire Constabulary previously said of Kyle’s capture, “No shots were fired by police.”

While Kyle’s suspected connection to the family has not been confirmed by authorities, multiple British outlets have reported he was an ex-boyfriend of one of John and Carol’s daughters.

In the day’s following the family’s tragedy, John and his surviving daughter Amy shared a message with the public through the BBC, noting their gratitude for the support they’d received.

“We would like to thank people for their kind messages and for the support we have received in recent days," the BBC shared on their behalf July 13. "These have provided great comfort to us for which we are very grateful."

John then also shared a message through fellow racing commentator and friend Matt Chapman, commemorating Amy’s resilience in the face of their unimaginable tragedy.

"Amy, my eldest daughter, has been magnificently inspirational with her control and support for me, which I am trying so hard to replicate,” John, through Matt, said July 13. “Notwithstanding the horrid evil that's swept through our lives, wreaking devastation on an unimaginable scale, the counter to that has been the breathtaking messages of support, some of which are still to be read.”