The man suspected of the crossbow murders of three family members of a BBC racing commentator has been arrested.

Kyle Clifford, 26, was arrested on suspicion of three counts of murder on Thursday evening and remains in a serious condition in hospital.

Carol Hunt, 61, the wife of BBC 5 Live commentator John Hunt, and two of their daughters, Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were found fatally injured at a house in the quiet cul-de-sac of Ashlyn Close in Bushey, Hertfordshire, just after 7pm on Tuesday.

Detective Superintendent Rob Hall, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire major crime unit, said: “Our thoughts remain with the victims’ family at this tragic time.

Floral tributes to the dead women
Floral tributes were left at Ashlyn Close, Bushey, Hertfordshire (Jonathan Brady/PA)

“The investigation is moving at pace and as a result, we have now arrested a man. Inquiries are continuing at this time.”

Clifford was found with injuries in Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield, north London, on Wednesday afternoon after police appealed to find him.

Friends of the Hunt family attended a vigil at St James’ Church in Bushey on Thursday and paid tribute to the three women.

Lea Holloway, 60, a childhood friend of Carol Hunt, described her as a “beautiful person”.

She said: “This is the stuff nightmares are made of.

“They were a lovely family and (the daughters) were lovely girls.

“They were making their way through life and their lives have been taken too soon. It’s the thing of nightmares.

“I feel for their eldest daughter and John (Hunt). I can’t imagine what it would be like.”

A vigil for the dead at St James's church
A morning service and vigil took place at St James’s church in Bushey (Jonathan Brady/PA)

After being joined by two other close friends, Dionne Smith, 58, and Abigail Phillips, 58, the trio told reporters: “We were a four, and now there’s only three.

“It doesn’t seem real. We are together in grief.”

In a post on Facebook, Hannah Hunt’s colleagues at The Anti-Ageing Clinic in Radlett, Hertfordshire, said she was “a fantastic therapist and clients loved her”.

“We send our condolences and prayers to her Dad, sister and family,” the post said.

Loreto College in St Albans said it was “mourning the loss of two of our ex-students, Hannah & Louise, along with their mother, Carol”.

A post on X, formerly Twitter, said: “We extend our thoughts & prayers to the family during this most difficult time. As a Loreto Community, they will always hold a place in our heart. May they rest in peace.”

Jockeys stand in a half circle in silence at Newmarket
A minute’s silence being observed for Carol, Louise and Hannah Hunt ahead of Ladies Day during the July Festival 2024 at Newmarket Racecourse (David Davies for The Jockey Club/PA)

Colleagues of Mr Hunt said they were “heartbroken” for the commentator and a minute’s silence was held for the family during the July Festival at Newmarket Racecourse in Suffolk.

Jockeys at the fixture sported black armbands.

Commentator Richard Hoiles paid tribute to his colleague at the start of ITV’s programming.

Hoiles said his friend Mr Hunt would often talk about his wife and daughters, and recalled how, at an “annual shindig at Christmas 20-odd years ago”, he proudly showed pictures of his daughters to people in the pub.

He added: “Words just seem hollow and inadequate in such circumstances and all we can try and do is provide some crumb of comfort by trying to exhibit the warmth and respect in which John and his family is held, as will be shown by the many tributes that will be held up and down the country.”

Flowers were also left at the scene in Ashlyn Close, with notes attached to some bouquets with messages such as “rest in peace”.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct said it received a mandatory referral from the Metropolitan Police after Clifford was found by officers with serious injuries in Enfield, but was satisfied no investigation was needed.