A friend of one of the women murdered in Bushey has described her as “one of the loveliest girls I knew”, as a neighbour described her family as the “gentlest”.

Rohit Mitra knew 25-year-old Louise Hunt from school, went to the same gym as her, and told Sky News he only saw her a few days ago.

“She honestly was one of the loveliest people, one of the loveliest girls I knew. She always had a smile and was very positive and hardworking. Genuinely a really, really sweet person,” he said.

“I can’t imagine how someone could come to commit such an act, and do this to a family. I’m in complete shock to be honest.”

Police are carrying out further searches of a house in Enfield as the suspect, Kyle Clifford, remains in hospital.

Members of police staff were seen wearing gloves and face masks outside the property in Rendlesham Road, Enfield, on Thursday morning which was first searched on Wednesday.

Clifford was the focus of a manhunt after an attack in Ashlyn Close which resulted in the deaths of Louise’s mother Carol Hunt, 61, and her sister Hannah Hunt, 28.

He was found injured in Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield, north London, later on Wednesday and was taken to the Royal London hospital for treatment.

Police did not say how the injuries occurred but stressed they had not fired any shots. They said he is yet to be arrested.

The women were pronounced dead after police and paramedics rushed to the family home near Watford at around 7pm on Tuesday.

Hertfordshire Constabulary have said they were attacked with a crossbow and possibly other weapons.

The public was invited to a church service at the nearby St James’s church in Bushey on Thursday morning where friends and neighbours said prayers for the family.

Colleagues of Hannah Hunt paid tribute to the “fantastic therapist” in a post on Facebook on Thursday, saying it was with “deep regret and sadness” that The Anti-Ageing Clinic based in Radlett, Hertfordshire, learned of the “horrific murder on Tuesday night.

One of their neighbours, Su Kehinde, 60, said as she laid flowers near the police cordon: “They were the loveliest, gentlest family.

“They were the meekest human beings. They did not deserve this. They were beautiful souls.”

Her daughter April, 32, knew Hannah and added that she “always had a smile”.

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Luisa, a friend of Louise, also used her dog grooming business and said she would often send me pictures of my dog asleep during grooming”… “that’s how much of a wonderful, relaxing person Louise was”.

Another of Louise’s friends told the BBC: “I knew Louise back from school days and she was really sweet, very kind, always a positive person.

“I can’t think of anything bad to say about her – a really lovely person all round, a super hardworking person. It’s been a massive shock.”

A note left on a bunch of flowers at the police cordon in Bushey read: “Hannah, Louise and Carol.

“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. Mol xxxx.”

‘Nice, private family’

Glyn Nicholas, 77, also lives in Ashlyn Close, and described them as a “private family, all very nice”.

“Louise started a business a couple of years ago, and it was a thriving business – we all took our dogs there to be groomed,” he added.

Mrs Hunt was the wife of racing commentator John Hunt, who worked for Sky Sports Racing and BBC Racing. Mr Hunt has one surviving daughter.

Speaking to Sky News on Thursday morning, Talksport commentator Rupert Bell, who has known Mr Hunt for 30 years, said he started his working life as a policeman – but Mrs Hunt encouraged him to “follow his dream” of working in sport.

He described him as a “geniune, loyal human being… loved by all and sundry”.

“It breaks all of our hearts,” he said. “I feel for him so deeply.”

In a statement, Sky Sports Racing 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.”

BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Mark Chapman sent his “love and thoughts” to fellow commentator and friend John Hunt after a “heartbreaking day” on Wednesday.

Speaking through tears at the start of the Euro 2024 pre-match show on 5 Live, Mr Chapman said: “John Hunt is our colleague and our friend, not just to the current 5 Live Sport team but to all of those who have worked here with him over the past 20 years and also to all of you who have enjoyed his superb commentaries.

“On behalf of everybody connected to 5 Live Sport, our love and thoughts and support are with John and his family.”

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