Bushey residents and friends of the family have shared messages of condolence following the “shocking” triple murder of BBC commentator John Hunt's wife and daughters.

Well-wishers have been laying flowers by the police cordon in Ashlyn Close after Carol Hunt, 61, who was married to the BBC 5 Live racing commentator, and two of their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28, were fatally injured at a home in the road yesterday (July 9).

Several were tearful as they approached the scene to pay respects. Cards have been left by the police cordon at the end of Ashlyn Close, alongside floral tributes.

Floral tributes delivered to Ashlyn Close, Bushey. (Image: PA)

One card said: “I wish none of this was real. I wish I could hug you all, tell you how much you meant to me. I wish you could hug each other. Love you forever.”

A separate card read: “Words cannot express how devastated I am that you are gone."

Rohit Mitra, 25, became friends with Louise Hunt at secondary school and described her as a "very kind soul".

"She was a really positive person, approachable and easy to talk to," the data analyst from Bushey added. "She would always ask how you were feeling.

Rohit Mitra, a friend of Louise Hunt, described her as very kind soul.Rohit Mitra, a friend of Louise Hunt, described her as very kind soul. (Image: Newsquest) "If I could see her again, I would say keep your head up and don’t let others bring you down. I would let her know that she is a sweet person and she deserves the best in life."

"We've lived here for 15 years and everyone knows everyone," 18-year-old Alyssa Maxim told the Watford Observer. 

"We got so close especially during Covid. My mum was obviously very close with her mum and they chatted in the street.

"Everyone says they were such a lovely family. They were a nice normal family."

Another neighbour, 22, added: "We grew up together and although I didn't see the girls as much recently they were really nice and friendly people.

"It's been really scary. I'm glad they caught him but it doesn't change what happened and I just feel really bad for John."

British Horseracing Authority chief executive Julie Harrington expects the racing community to “rally around” the family.

 (Image: PA)

In a statement, Harrington said: “The thoughts of everyone at the BHA are with John Hunt, his family and friends at this shocking and tragic time.

“It is impossible to comprehend the horror that has been inflicted upon them by this dreadful event.

“John is a great friend to many in our sport and I am sure that in this time of unimaginable grief for him, the racing family will rally around as we have seen many times before when one of our number is faced with great trauma.”

Floral tributes delivered to Ashlyn Close, Bushey. (Image: PA)

The BBC’s former racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght underscored the “sympathy, love and support” sent to Hunt.

He added: “There are no words. Like everyone else I feel numb and sick on John’s behalf at such incomprehensible evil.

“Everyone who knows John knows he is the absolute archetypal family man, so proud of them, so it’s impossible to know what he can be going through.

Floral tributes delivered to Ashlyn Close, Bushey. (Image: PA)

“But I know I’m speaking for the whole racing community and the whole wider sports media community as well, both of which he’s been part of for so long, when I say everyone is sending sympathy, love and support to him. It’s just awful.”

Sky Sports Racing colleague and ITV presenter Matt Chapman added: “News like this is shocking enough but on a personal level even more so when it involves a friend and colleague you totally respect.

“There are no words here. Just the wish to let John know we love him and racing loves him. There are loads of us who he can talk to should he need or want to.

(Image: Newsquest)

“John is an outstanding commentator and broadcaster – but he’s also just a lovely bloke.”

Hunt is both a commentator and presenter on Sky Sports Racing, which issued a statement that said: “Everyone at Sky Sports Racing is deeply saddened by the tragic deaths in Hertfordshire and our thoughts are with our colleague John Hunt, his family and friends at this awful time.”

Hunt has worked for BBC Radio 5 Live for around 20 years and as part of a note sent to staff on Wednesday, the organisation said: “The news today about John Hunt’s family is utterly devastating.

(Image: Newsquest)

“Our thoughts are with John and his family at this incredibly difficult time and we will provide him with all the support we can.”

The Professional Jockeys Association also passed on its condolences, posting on X, formerly Twitter: “This is an unspeakable tragedy to befall anyone, but to happen to someone as popular and beloved as John is even more heartbreaking.

“Jockeys will wear black armbands and observe a minute’s silence at race meetings tonight and tomorrow.”

Following a wide-ranging search involving police helicopters, dogs, and armed units, Herts Police have shared that suspect Kyle Clifford, 26, has been found injured in the Enfield area this afternoon (July 10).