The final text messages between crossbow killer Kyle Clifford and Louise Hunt were read out in court when he was handed three whole life orders for killing his ex-girlfriend, her mother and sister.
Former soldier Clifford, 26, subjected the three women to a horrifying five-hour ordeal on July 9, 2024, raping and murdering Louise, 25, with a crossbow at her family home in Bushey, Hertfordshire.
On the same day, he fatally stabbed her mother Carol, 61, eight times and shot dead her 28-year-old sister Hannah with the crossbow before failing to take his own life with the same weapon.
BBC racing commentator John Hunt and his eldest surviving daughter Amy maintained a dignified silence as the sentences were read out, but wept and hugged each other afterwards.
In an impact statement, Mr Hunt spoke about the final text message exchange between Clifford and his daughter on June 26, 2024 – 13 days before he killed the women.
He told the court on Tuesday: ‘I’d like to remind you Kyle, of how gracious Louise’s was to you in that final text to you. This is what she said on the 26th June, the morning after she had finished with you face to face.
‘She texted you thanking you for what was a wonderful year together, explaining how much she once loved you, that she never wanted any animosity to develop between you and that she wanted you to take care of yourself.
‘You texted back saying: “Thank you for the clarity Louise, so we can both start our healing process. I love you so much and I will for a very long time. I will always be here for you if you ever need me, please don’t hesitate. I wish you all the best and take care of yourself too.”‘
‘The difference was, we know now, that Louise meant every word whereas you simply lied.’
Notes written by Clifford on his phone before he carried out the vile killings were also read out in court and described by judge, Mr Justice Joel Bennathan, as ‘dripping with self-pity’.
They detailed how he planned to take his own life after murdering the three innocent women – a plan which ultimately failed when he was left paralysed from the chest down after he shot himself with the crossbow as police closed in on him.
The first note, addressed to his family members, read: ‘Please don’t think of this as me throwing my life away. I have lived and I am grateful for everything and everyone that has been a part of it.
‘It is now my time to leave and be at peace as this is what I ultimately want. I know you will all have so many questions and wish you could have done something different to prevent this however none of you have failed and there is simply nothing any of you could have done.
‘This is my decision to just be at peace. You all have to take care of each other and speak to each other because that will be the best thing for you all. I love you all so much.’
The other, addressed to himself, said: ‘To myself, I am so sorry I didn’t give myself a chance to move on past this to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know you want to find peace and it’s a battle in your head right now. What’s different this time? I don’t want to live my life without her.
‘I don’t want to experience new things. Nothing I can think of can make me happy. I know I could have gone to therapy, found faith and become a new better person but I just simply don’t want to. I am so sorry I didn’t wait to move on and find my future wife, have the children I always wanted. I’m sorry Kyle.’
The court was also shown how twisted killer Clifford posed as his ex-girlfriend Louise in text messages sent from her phone to her father, Mr Hunt, whilst he had her restrained.
Writing as if he were Louise, Clifford sent a text which read: ‘What time are you home?’
Mr Hunt, who was completely unaware of the danger his daughters and wife were in, replied as any loving father would: ‘Late, I’m afraid. Everything okay, sweetness?’.
Sickeningly, Clifford continued to keep up the act, responding: ‘Just want to check – the races on Saturday start a little later than usual. I think it’s 4.30pm-7.30pm. Then there’s a famous DJ after racing. Is that sounding okay?’
After breaking up with Clifford due to his increasingly controlling behaviour, Louise wrote a message to herself on her phone to look back on when she was feeling ‘sad’ to deter her from going back to him.
She wrote: ‘When you’re sad, look! His brother is in prison, he still sees him every other week and never said what he did was horrendous. His family is a mess, racist comments, says he doesn’t like transgenders, road rage, belittling language, said he had a higher IQ than all my family, would tell me all the violent acts his brother and dad would do and when I went to their house he would find it amusing.’
The killer’s brother, Bradley, is serving life with a minimum 23 years for murder after ramming a moped driver with his car following a dispute over a woman.
Clifford tried to ban Louise from wearing make-up, attempted to control the way she dressed, refused to let her go out without him, and did not want her to socialise with any male friends.
Yet all the while, he was dating at least two other women – unbeknownst to Louise.
Police said Clifford watched several Tate videos, in which he spewed his toxic brand of masculinity and women-hating. They noted that he revelled in showing them to others.
He had even searched for Tate’s podcast a day before carrying out his killing spree at the Hunts’ family home.
Earlier in court, relatives wept as Mr Hunt paid tribute to his slaughtered wife and two daughters in an emotional victim impact statement.
‘I so wished to deliver these words eye to eye Kyle and I’ll continue to do so as if I was doing that,’ he said.
‘The screams of hell, Kyle. I can hear them faintly now.
‘They’re going to roll the red carpet out for you.’
In an act of compassion towards the victims’ families, the judge made a rare decision to hand out the sentences before delivering marks, telling the court it was no occasion to subject those grieving to ‘any delay or suspense’.
Mr Justice Joel Bennathan, who issued the sentences at Cambridge Crown Court, said: ‘The evidence I’ve heard shows you to be a jealous man, soaked in self-pity. A man who holds women in utter contempt.
‘This is no occasion to subject family and friends of your victims to any delay or suspense.
‘I therefore make clear at once that for each of these three murders, the sentence will be one of life imprisonment with a whole-life order.
‘That means a sentence from which you will never be released.’
She continued: ‘Your brutal and cowardly attack had been planned over about 11 days.
‘You conducted extensive research into the movements of Louise’s father John, into her mother’s Facebook page, into buying a crossbow, a knife and an air pistol, and even into the weather on the day of the attack.’
Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC told Cambridge Crown Court Clifford had lost his job at a catering firm shortly before Louise ended the 18-month relationship.
Clifford served in the Army for three years from 2019 but was unable to ‘comply with basic orders’ and ‘took multiple periods off sick’. Twice in the fortnight between being dumped and killing the women, Clifford spoke to his brother Bradley – who is also in prison for murder – about buying the crossbow.
At the start of today’s hearing, the judge said: ‘The defendant was asked to attend but refused.’
He said HMP Belmarsh had discussed using ‘restraints’ but the judge added: ‘I’ve declined on the grounds of a man in a wheelchair being put in restraints is simply not appropriate.
‘If the defendant simply lacks the courage to face today, so be it.’
It means the family – including Louise’s father, BBC horse racing commentator John Hunt – who acted impeccably throughout the process – never got the chance to look the killer in the eye.
As Clifford’s sentencing got underway, a court source told the Mail: ‘He won’t be appearing in court or on CVP.
‘Everything has been done to try and convince him but it’s not going to happen.’
The non-attendance will renew pressure for new rules forcing criminals to face the music in person. Those who have refused to appear in court include Lucy Letby, who didn’t attend her sentencing.
Mr Hunt bravely told the court he wanted to deliver his victim impact statement ‘eye to eye with Kyle’ – but was denied the chance by the cowardly killer.
He said: ‘When I was first invited to provide a victim impact statement, I initially misunderstood its purpose, do I really need to detail the impact of having three quarters of my family murdered?
‘But then I realised that his was my final opportunity to say what I wanted to say, specifically to you, Kyle, words that will also be directed to your family, who will carry guilt forwards with them for the rest of their lives.
‘They knew about the weapons, they knew.’
Mr Hunt said Kyle had been ‘always welcome’ in the family home, adding: ‘The only Christmas you spent together was at our house. Was it four or five days? The laughter… the films… the normality.
‘What was it about that blissful existence you couldn’t handle?’
Mr Hunt, who attended with his surviving daughter Amy, described her killer as ‘callous, cowardly and vindictive’ during sentencing at Cambridge Crown Court.
The BBC racing commentator told the court how Louise’s favourite book was To Kill a Mockingbird and mentioned a scene where one of the characters says how it’s wrong to kill them because all they do is ‘make music’.
‘All their lives, Hannah, Louise and Carol simply brought joy and happiness to other people’s lives. You killed three beautiful mockingbirds Kyle,’ Mr Hunt said.
Mr Hunt described himself as ‘badly damaged’ but said he has received strength from his ‘incredible Hansie’ Hannah, who courageously raised the alarm after being struck by Clifford.
My name is John Hunt and I am blessed to be Carol’s husband and Hannah, Louise and Amy’s dad.
Thank you for returning the guilty verdict. That you had to consider the evidence was purely down to Kyle choosing to not admit responsibility.
You too are victims of his callous, cowardly, vindictive behaviours and I wish he hadn’t put you through that.
I so wanted to deliver these words, eye to eye with Kyle. I will continue to act as if I am doing so.
When I was first invited to provide a victim impact statement i initially misunderstood its purpose.
Do I really need to detail the impact of having three quarters of my family murdered?
But then I realised that this was my final opportunity to say what I want to say to you specifically Kyle, words that will also be directed to your family who will carry guilt forward for the rest of their lives.
I know you valued them so poorly from all the conversations we had Kyle but I suppose even they must be damaged by what you have done.
I also want to confirm to the world the truth, especially how Louise conducted herself within a textbook, mature breakup on her part, understanding the conflict of saying goodbye to someone she once loved but not allowing those memories to cloud her certain knowledge that you simply failed to be the person she needed.
You failed.
I am so proud of all of my girls. Unlike you Kyle, at every step of their lives they made the correct choices to improve themselves as people.
Louise enjoyed more success and fulfilment in one morning than you achieved in your entire miserable life.
Do you recall Kyle, how kind we all were to you? Helping you and Louise enjoy trips away, do you remember how she loved a swanky hotel? You were always invited to meals out.
A Sunday lunch at the pub or a special celebration, you were always made welcome.
The only Christmas you spent together was at our house. Was it four or five days you spent with us? The food, the games, the laughter, the normality… what was it about that blissful existence you hated so much, Kyle?
Could you not handle how pleasant it was, such a contrast to what you were used to.
The trips to Italy, Disneyland and many more; Louise gave your relationship so much effort which you were never able or willing to match.
We all offered you kindness, especially Carol. She had picked up on your personal inadequacies right from the start.
She sensed your immaturity but always knew Louise would work things out. Carol still displayed her compassion right up until the moment she answered the door to you on July 9th.
Do you remember her kindness Kyle; how she urged you to get some relationship help and guidance for fear that you would never be able to sustain a lasting relationship.
You calmly accepted that advice on the doorstep and then , seconds later savagely stabbed her eight times and ended her life.
When I challenge myself about how you were able to deceive us all, I simply say that you are a psychopath who, for the duration of your time together with Louise, was able to disguise yourself as an ordinary human being.
You reserved your best, make-believe version of yourself for the times you were in our house.
You managed to maintain that veneer of decency throughout the first year of your time with Louise, but you couldn’t maintain it in the early part of 2024.
Although Carol and I never witnessed any alarming behaviour, your visits became less frequent.
You began the first of two affairs that we know about, your aversion to a days hard work continued as you messed up yet another job at Reynolds
It wasn’t only the Army that found you worthless. I often think of the list Louise wrote to herself to remind her of the reasons that you fell short.
The racism. She was rightly disgusted by that.
Your belittling language. The fact that your family is a mess. Like any women should be allowed to do, she worked you out despite repeated deceit and said enough is enough.
I hope women around the world will take Louise’s bravery as a shining beacon for their lives. If you feel enough is enough, then it is.
I’d like to remind you Kyle, of how gracious Louise’s was to you in that final text to you. This is what she said on the 26th June, the morning after she had finished with you face to face.
She texted you thanking you for what was a wonderful year together, explaining how much she once loved you, that she never wanted any animosity to develop between you and that she wanted you to take care of yourself.
You texted back saying: ‘Thank you for the clarity Louise, so we can both start our healing process. I love you so much and I will for a very long time. I will always be here for you if you ever need me, please don’t hesitate. I wish you all the best and take care of yourself too.’
The difference was, we know now, that Louise meant every word whereas you simply lied.
You didn’t love her enough to stop you having those two affairs in the spring of last year?
Or to start planning to kill her and her family just days later. And that an horrific rape on her was part of the plan. Your levels of misogyny are off the scale.
Louise’s favourite novel from her schooldays was Harper Lee’s classic, To Kill a Mockingbird. She was captivated by the goodness of Atticus Finch both as a father and a lawyer.
She would often quote lines from the novel to match life’s challenges. One of those quotes that comes to mind, right here in this moment is that of Miss Maudie reasserting Atticus’ assertion that it’s a sin to Kill a Mockingbird.
She said: ‘Your fathers right. Mockingbirds don’t do one thing except make music for us to enjoy.
They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corn cribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us.
That’s why it’s a sin to kill a Mockingbird. ‘ All their lives Carol, Hannah and Louise similarly spent their time bringing joy and colour and happiness to other people’s lives. You killed three beautiful Mockingbirds, Kyle.
So, to remind you, over a period of four hours you brutally killed Carol, waited over an hour until Louise came into the house.
You incapacitated her, raped her and when you realised Hannah was coming home, you shot Louise in the back.
I can’t imagine a more cowardly act. You couldn’t look her in the eye. You murdered Hannah minutes later. So four hours.
A few weeks later I also spent four hours with them Kyle; in the funeral directors.
The usual room wasn’t big enough for three bodies but they removed a partition wall so we could all be together.
I sat for a while with Louise to my right, she looked so peaceful and Hannah to my left.
I couldn’t quite reach to hold their hands at the same time. Amy and I placed a photograph of Chester in Louise’s right hand.
Carol was at the top of the room. She was dressed in a beautiful orange dress she had bought for a wedding we went to a month beforehand.
I stroked her hair and told her how much I loved her.
I thanked her for being such a wonderful partner in life and wonderful mother. They were my four hours Kyle.
And what about me? The impact of what you have done will be taken to my grave but on the way there, I want you to know that I stand strong before you today.
As you are consigned to a fate far greater than death, I can draw on the love and strength that I still feel from the girls in every moment of every day. I am lucky.
I have the most wonderful daughter, Amy who gives me such focus and purpose. I have Gareth and Alex.
I have my extended family, reaching far beyond my mum, brothers and sister, aunts and uncles and cousins.
I have many friends who watch out for me on an hourly basis. Carol’s friends are mine and I now have a renewed relationship with Hannah’s and Louise’s best friends.
I will always be there for them and they will be there for me too.
So whilst I am so badly damaged, I am determined to see what my future is, surrounded by so many amazing people.
And the chance to do has been gifted to me by my incredible Hannah.
I firmly believe that, had she not managed to show such amazing physical and mental strength in raising the alarm after you fatally injured her, then I would have been your fourth victim that day.
Hannah handed me a second chance, one that she worked so hard to achieve for me.
Do you really think after what she did for me, I will slight her memory and example by just giving up?
Even though the days are difficult and feel on many occasions, impossible, I will channel my inner Atticus Finch at all times.
He said, ‘I want you to see what real courage is. Instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand, its when you know you are licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.
And now comes the time when your fate on this earth will be confirmed.
Every single person in the world, I’m thinking of mothers and fathers in particular, especially those daughters, now expects the formality of a life sentence. Never again to make choices of your own.
To breathe fresh air only occasionally. To eat when someone else tells you to eat. But just remember one thing.
Whatever sentence you are about to receive, whatever misery lies ahead for you for the next 60 years.
Remember that after your days on earth are done, on your dying day, there will be no release for you.
The screams of hell, Kyle, I can hear them faintly now.
The red carpet will come out for you.
At that point, when the person you could have been meets the person you are, you will realise your miserable fate will last for eternity.