Over four-and-a-half hours, evil Kyle Clifford carried out a massacre as meticulous as it was barbaric.
The failed soldier had spent the best part of two weeks since being dumped by Louise Hunt plotting how to take what he deemed to be his ‘revenge’.
Indeed his twisted idea of retribution against the successful and popular Louise – for having the courage to end their 18-month relationship after being able to tolerate his controlling behaviour no longer – began less than two days after they split.
Clifford is said to have shown no aversion when Louise told him on Wednesday June 26 last year that their romance was over.
Friends said she had grown unhappy, particularly given Clifford’s misogynistic attitude towards her wearing make-up, socialising with other men, and going out without him.
Clifford’s apparent nonchalance may have been because the love rat was seeing at least two other women at the time.
Police believe murder was on his mind two days later, as he started to gather items required for his deadly plan – and how he likely considered ending his own life.
The first step the egocentric killer took was to buy a length of rope from Toolstation in his hometown of Enfield on Friday June 28.
Police later discovered rope suspended from a tree in the cemetery where suicidal fugitive Clifford shot himself in the chest, leaving him paralysed.
Over four-and-a-half hours, evil Kyle Clifford carried out a massacre as meticulous as it was barbaric
Louise Hunt (pictured) was killed by Clifford in Bushey, Hertfordshire, with her mother and sister
Brave Hannah Hunt called 999 during the attacks and was still alive when police arrived at the home in Bushey, but later died from her wounds
Louise’s father is BBC racing commentator John Hunt, pictured here with his wife Carol, who was also killed in the massacre
The Wednesday after buying the rope, Clifford spent £360 online buying a crossbow, six bolts and a cocking device used to kill Louise and her older sister Hannah.
The next day, he bought two petrol cans from his local Halfords, and duct tape used to restrain his victims from a B&Q.
During this time, unemployed Clifford bought an £89 steel knife which he later used to stab Louise’s mother Carol, but was spotted going about his regular business including visiting the gym.
That seemingly normal routine continued even on the day of the murders, and he spent the morning of July 9 at a garden centre with his family.
But at 1.07pm, he left his family home and made the 30-minute drive across north London to Louise’s family home in Bushey.
CCTV footage showed him arriving nearby before doing what police believe to be a recce, checking which of the Hunt family’s cars were parked there – with the theory that he did not want Louise’s father, BBC horse racing commentator John Hunt, to be present.
At 1.48pm, Clifford searched the internet for ‘horse racing today’, and then moved his car slightly closer to the Hunt home.
At 2.32pm, Clifford knocked on the door, carrying a backpack.
Carol answered, and the pair spent around seven minutes chatting, asking whether Mr Hunt is home and stating he has only come to collect some of his belongings. CCTV footage suggested the discussion was cordial, and at 2.39pm Clifford is allowed inside.
Clifford is seen on CCTV footage visiting a Tool Station shortly after 12pm on June 28, just days before slaughtering John Hunt’s family on July 9 last year
He can be seen purchasing a long length of blue rope, which he paid for by card, before exiting the shop
During the massacre, police believe Clifford used Louise’s phone to text her father 90 minutes later, asking what time he will be home. Mr Hunt replied that he would be home later
Former Army serviceman Clifford was said to be obsessed with Andrew Tate and had a need to ‘control’ his girlfirends
A court artist’s sketch of Kyle Clifford appearing via videolink at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on September 17 last year
A second video shows Clifford in a Halfords shop at around 2pm on July 4
He can be seen purchasing two green petrol cans by card before leaving the shop
Within a minute, Clifford attacked Carol, fatally stabbing her with a knife concealed in his backpack.
Around 25 minutes later, Clifford emerged from the house and walked calmly to his car to retrieve the crossbow, hidden under a blanket on the back seat.
Dog groomer Louise, who was working in a pod at the back of the home, had no idea of what had been going on.
Louise entered the house by the backdoor at 4.12pm, where armed Clifford was lying in wait. There, she was restrained using duct tape and likely gagged.
Police believe Clifford used Louise’s phone to text her father 90 minutes later, asking what time he will be home. Mr Hunt replied that he would be home later.
Roughly an hour later, at 6.50pm, Clifford discharged the crossbow.
Jurors found he had raped Louise during the two-and-a-half hours she was held captive in her own home by Clifford.
It is at this moment that Hannah arrived home from work. She became aware of something being wrong and sent her boyfriend Alex an urgent message telling him to call the police.
CCTV footage from Clifford’s police interview, which had to be conducted with him in a wheelchair after he shot himself with the crossbow
Two minutes later, at 6.54pm, Clifford shot Hannah with the crossbow bolt. She somehow found the strength to call the police, as her attacker calmly left the house and walked to his car.
Emergency services arrived on the quiet close by 7.10pm as neighbours began to sense that something was wrong.
Paramedics declared Carol dead at 7.23pm, followed by daughters Louise (7.31pm) and Hannah (7.51pm).
Clifford had long fled the scene by this time.
He was discovered by armed police 24 hours later, seriously wounded, in Lavender Hill Cemetery, a short walk from his family home.
