An inquest has heard that Carol Hunt, the wife of BBC racing commentator John Hunt, died from stab wounds to her chest and abdomen.

Carol Hunt, 61, the wife of BBC racing commentator John Hunt, and two of their daughters, Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were found fatally injured at the family home in Ashlyn Close, Bushey, just after 7pm on July 9.

The opening of the inquest this morning, at The Old Courthouse, Hatfield, also heard that Hannah and Louise, died from crossbow bolt injuries.

Hertfordshire Coroner’s Court was told Hannah Hunt texted someone telling them she had been “tied up” at the family home.

The text asked the unnamed member of the public to call the police, telling them the person responsible was at the house, a coroner’s officer told the 10-minute hearing.

Ms Hunt was then able to call the police, reporting that she had been shot, as had her mother and sister.

Senior coroner for Hertfordshire Geoffrey Sullivan heard that she gave her address before the call cut out and was found alive in the main doorway of the home with a crossbow bolt still in her chest when officers arrived.

The coroner adjourned the inquest to allow any criminal proceeding to take place.