A MAN has denied killing a BBC star’s wife and two daughters in a horror crossbow attack – as he now also faces rape charges.
Carol Hunt, 61, Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28, were found dead at the family home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, in July.
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Kyle Clifford appeared in court charged with murderCredit: PA
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He is accused of killing ex Louise Hunt with a crossbowCredit: Facebook
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Louise’s sister Hannah was also killed in the horrorCredit: Instagram
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Mum Carol, pictured with her husband John, was also found deadCredit: Facebook
Louise’s ex Kyle Clifford was arrested after the chase but could not be interviewed while he was being treated for an injury in hospital.
The 26-year-old appeared in court in Cambridge today, where he pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder.
The court was told he has now been charged additionally with rape but is yet to enter a plea.
He allegedly raped Louise on July 9 – the same day the family was killed.
Clifford also denied false imprisonment after allegedly tying up Louise and two counts of possessing an offensive weapon.
This involved a 10-inch butcher’s knife and a crossbow, the court heard.
The false imprisonment charge alleges that Clifford allegedly “assaulted and unlawfully and injuring Louise Hunt and detained her against her will.”
Clifford, who appeared via video link from HMP Belmarsh, was remanded in custody ahead of an interim trial on March 3.
The court was previously told Hannah managed to call the police and tell them her mother and sister had been shot and she feared she was “going to die”.
The phone call was then cut off before brave Hannah re-established contact and 911 was called, it was said.
Police arrived at the house to find the front door open and Louise tied up, the court was told.
Her sister Hannah was shot with a crossbow, while mum Carol was stabbed to death, it was said.
The horror unfolded around 7 p.m. on July 9 when neighbors heard disturbing screams in a quiet residential street.
The bodies of three women were found in their £800,000 suburban home.
It is understood that BBC racing commentator John Hunt was informed of the tragedy on his way back from work at Lingfield Park.
A manhunt has been launched for Clifford, with footage showing the man walking away from the scene holding a large weapon.
Hertfordshire Police have taken the unusual step of naming and presenting Clifford, who served in the Queen’s Dragoon Guards, as the hunt for the alleged killer widens.
The inquest previously heard that Carol died from stab wounds to the chest and abdomen, while Hannah and Louise died from crossbow arrow injuries.
The court was told tragic Hannah texted an unnamed person to reveal she was “tied up”.
She then begged them to call the police because the suspect was still in the house.
John and surviving daughter Amy previously released a statement saying their devastation “cannot be described in words”.
They added: “We would like to thank people for their kind messages and support we have received over the last few days.
“They gave us great comfort for which we are very grateful.”
In a further statement read to Sky Sports Racing viewers by colleague Matt Chapman, John paid tribute to his “inspirational” surviving daughter.
He said: “Despite the horrific evil that swept through our lives, causing devastation on an unimaginable scale, there were breathtaking messages of support, some of which still need to be read.
“Amy, my eldest daughter, has been magnificently inspiring in her control and support for me, which I try very hard to replicate.
“Every message felt so important, just like an encouraging hug.
“We know people are worried about us. We’ll get through this.”
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Clifford and Louise divorced before the horrorCredit: Facebook
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The bodies were discovered in Bushey in JulyCredit: PA
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