The tragic deaths of Louise Hunt, her mother Carol, and her sister Hannah in Bushey, Hertfordshire, UK, have brought to light the devastating effects of coercive control and gender-based violence. Kyle Clifford, the suspect in the case, allegedly exercised a manipulative and controlling grip over his ex-girlfriend, Louise, for six months before the horrifying triple murder.
In the UK, the number of women killed by men remains alarmingly high. To date this year, 81 women have been murdered by men, underscoring the urgent need for effective measures to combat gender-based violence.
Clifford’s Control Over Louise Hunt
Mail Online reports that a family friend has revealed Clifford exerted control over Louise by stopping her from wearing makeup, dictating her social activities, and limiting her interactions with male friends. These behaviors are classic signs of coercive control, where the abuser seeks to undermine the victim’s autonomy and self-worth.
The family friend noted, “Kyle was controlling and used to ridicule Louise. In public, he made himself out to be a nice guy, but in private, he was anything but” [via Mail Online]. Despite the absence of reported physical violence, the psychological manipulation and control Clifford exerted were clear indicators of an abusive relationship.
The Triple Murder
According to The Guardian, on the evening of Tuesday 9 July, Carol Hunt, 61, the wife of the BBC 5 Live commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were found fatally injured at their home. They had been shot with a crossbow.
Clifford, who has now been arrested for the murders, was found the following day with serious injuries in a north London cemetery. He had reportedly attempted to harm himself and is under police guard in a serious condition in a hospital.
Clifford was captured on neighbors’ CCTV leaving the Hunt family’s property with a crossbow wrapped in a white sheet, further adding to the horror of the crime. The community in Bushey has been left in shock, mourning the loss of a well-loved family.
Link Between Coercive Control and Femicide
The connection between coercive control and femicide is well-documented. According to the UK’s Office for National Statistics, over half of the women murdered in domestic homicides were subjected to coercive control prior to their deaths.
Another significant finding from the NSW Domestic Violence Death Review Team reveals that between 2000 and 2018, 97% of intimate partner domestic violence homicides were preceded by the perpetrator using coercive control towards the victim. These statistics highlight the pervasive and dangerous nature of coercive control in abusive relationships.
Community Reactions and Support
The Hunts were known and loved in their community, which has been left devastated by the tragedy. Abdul Morsli, a close friend of Hannah, expressed his sorrow and shared how the Hunt family had welcomed him into their home during a difficult period in his life.
“Hannah was convinced that they’d get married one day…but there were issues with his controlling behavior,” Abdul said [via Mail Online].
Friends and family are now left grappling with the loss of three cherished individuals, while the community is urged to recognize and address the signs of coercive control and domestic abuse.
In memory of Louise, Carol, and Hannah Hunt, it is vital that we continue to address the serious issue of gender-based violence and advocate for stronger protections against domestic abuse and coercive control.
Featured image: Kyle Clifford. Source: Hertfordshire Police
