Kyle Clifford, a former soldier, has been found guilty of raping his ex-girlfriend, Louise Hunt, in an act of coercive control and spite before murdering her, her sister, and their mother in a carefully planned attack. Despite admitting to the triple murder, he denied the rape charge, a claim that was ultimately rejected by a jury after just 45 minutes of deliberation.
The case has reignited discussions about the dangers of coercive control and male violence against women, with experts calling it a horrifying example of misogyny taken to its most extreme and fatal conclusion.
The Murders That Shocked the Nation
On July 9, 2024, 26-year-old Kyle Clifford broke into the home of his ex-girlfriend’s family in Bushey, Hertfordshire, armed with a crossbow, a 10-inch butcher’s knife, and duct tape. Within minutes, he brutally murdered 61-year-old Carol Hunt before waiting for Louise, 25, to return home. He restrained, gagged, and raped her before killing her with a crossbow. Hours later, her sister Hannah, 28, was also shot dead upon arriving home.
Clifford’s attack lasted four hours and was meticulously premeditated. Prosecutors revealed that he began planning his revenge just two days after Louise ended their 18-month relationship, furious that she had rejected him and that her family had supported her decision to leave him.
A Clear Pattern of Coercive Control and Misogyny
Prosecutors highlighted that Clifford’s crimes were not just about violence but were an extreme manifestation of coercive control.
“Louise was not going to be allowed by him to control the narrative. If he wanted Louise, he would have her, he would control her, he would rape her, and he would murder her and members of her family,” said Alison Morgan KC during her closing speech [via The Guardian].
His actions followed a pattern common in domestic abuse cases—using control, intimidation, and sexual violence as weapons against a partner who dared to leave. Studies show that when an abuser loses control over their victim, the risk of escalating violence, including homicide, dramatically increases.
Influence of Misogynistic Ideology
Clifford’s obsession with violent misogyny was further evidenced by his internet activity in the days leading up to the murders. Less than 24 hours before the attack, he was searching for content from Andrew Tate, a controversial influencer known for promoting sexist and misogynistic views.
Although the judge ruled that this evidence was of limited relevance and excluded it from the trial, the prosecution argued that Clifford’s fascination with misogynistic rhetoric explained his escalating rage and sense of entitlement over Louise.
“He saw her rejection as humiliation,” Morgan KC explained. He was angered, and that anger involved the planning of sexual violence as a means of acting out of spite in a final act before Louise Hunt’s death” [via The Guardian].
While not all men who consume misogynistic content commit violent crimes, experts warn that such material can reinforce dangerous attitudes about male entitlement and control over women.
A Cowardly Refusal to Face Justice
Sky News reported that throughout the trial, Clifford refused to attend court proceedings or give any testimony. He had previously pleaded guilty to the murders but continued to deny the rape charge, claiming that the DNA evidence found on Louise’s body was from consensual sex 16 days earlier. His defense team’s arguments were swiftly rejected by the jury.
After the attack, Clifford attempted to flee but was found the next day in Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield, having shot himself in the chest with a crossbow in an apparent suicide attempt. As a result of his self-inflicted injuries, he was left paralyzed from the chest down and is now confined to a wheelchair.
Judge Mr. Justice Bennathan condemned Clifford’s refusal to face the court and described his actions as “an act of complete cowardice.”
A Life Sentence for a Calculated Killer
Clifford will receive a mandatory life sentence when he is sentenced on Tuesday. Given the premeditation, sexual violence, and extreme brutality of his crimes, legal experts expect that he will receive a whole-life order, meaning he will never be eligible for parole.
According to The Guardian, Lisa Kiff, a senior crown prosecutor, described Clifford’s actions as among “the worst” she had ever encountered in her career. “Kyle Clifford is a murderer and a rapist who carried out a savage act of violence against three women. He now rightly faces a life sentence behind bars.”
Featured image: Hannah Hunt, Louise Hunt, and Carol Hunter. Source: Facebook.
