John Hunt Opens Up on Grieving Process After Family Tragedy
BBC horse racing commentator John Hunt has spoken candidly about his journey through grief, nearly two years after the brutal triple murder of his wife Carol and daughters Hannah and Louise. As he prepares to return to the microphone for the Cheltenham Festival, his most significant professional event of the year, Hunt reveals how he has navigated the profound loss.
A Life Shattered by Violence
In March 2025, Kyle Clifford was sentenced to three life orders with whole life terms for the horrific crimes. Clifford stabbed Carol to death, raped his former partner Louise, and killed both Louise and her sister Hannah with a crossbow, ensuring he will never be released from prison. The tragedy left Hunt and his surviving daughter, Amy, to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives.
Finding Solace in Routine and Support
Hunt, a beloved and long-serving voice in horse racing who recently covered the Winter Olympics, has leaned on his work, therapy, and family to cope. In an interview with The Telegraph, he explained achieving a sense of being "comfortable" in life through yoga, exercise, socialising, and mutual support with Amy. However, he acknowledges the unpredictable nature of grief.
"A couple of times, I’ve pushed it too hard," Hunt admitted. "And I’ve unravelled because of it."He described grief as writing its own rules, with emotions fluctuating wildly from moment to moment. "You can wake up at half past seven one morning and think, ‘I feel quite bright today’. And then, for no reason at all, come half past eight, you’re on your knees again," he said. Hunt has learned to surrender to these waves, finding strength in the knowledge that intensity passes, building confidence in his ability to cope even as he continues to work through the pain.
Turning Tragedy into Advocacy
Beyond personal healing, Hunt is channelling his experience into campaigning against male violence. Speaking to The Mirror, he highlighted the ongoing risk to women and girls, urging young men struggling with focus or self-esteem to reconsider their actions. "We just hope any young man watching doesn’t feel like we’re piling on them. Our boys are to be cherished and boys, we are completely with you," he emphasised, targeting prevention efforts at children before they reach school age.
His advocacy includes featuring in the upcoming TV series Ross Kemp: Lost Boys, Deadly Men, which explores rising violence against women and girls across the UK. Through this platform, Hunt aims to spark conversation and change, ensuring his family's legacy extends beyond their tragic deaths.
Looking Ahead to Cheltenham
As the Cheltenham Festival approaches, Hunt is focusing on the professional challenge ahead, using his commentary role as a anchor in a changed world. His story underscores the resilience of the human spirit, blending personal sorrow with public purpose in a poignant testament to survival and advocacy.
