Murder of Hannah Clarke

Hannah Baxter (nee Hannah Clarke) (8 September 1988 – 19 February 2020) was an Australian woman who was fatally burned in a petrol fire in her car in a quadruple murder–suicide by her estranged husband, Rowan Baxter, along with their three children, on 19 February 2020 in Camp Hill, Queensland.[1][2] The murders sparked a national debate about domestic violence in Australia,[3][4][5] after reports emerged that Baxter had a history of violence and misogyny,[6][7][8] and had been subjected to a domestic violence order (DVO) as well as child custody orders as recently as the month of the murders.

Hannah Clarke
Born
Hannah Clarke

(1988-09-08)8 September 1988
Australia
Died19 February 2020(2020-02-19) (aged 31)
Herston, Queensland, Australia
Cause of deathBurning
NationalityAustralian
Other namesHannah Baxter
Known forDomestic violence victim
Spouse(s)Rowan Baxter (separated 2019)
Children
  • Aaliyah Baxter
  • Laianah Baxter
  • Trey Baxter

Background

Clarke met New Zealand-born Baxter, 11 years her senior, in 2009 when she was 19.[9] The former rugby league player was previously married to someone else. He proposed to Clarke in 2011 and they married in Kingscliff, New South Wales in 2012. They had three children: Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4, and Trey, 3. Reports emerged after the murders that Clarke had been emotionally, physically, sexually and financially abused by Baxter during their relationship.[10]

Baxter was subjected to a DVO after he allegedly kidnapped their elder daughter (eldest child) on Boxing Day 2019.[11] He had rejected his lawyer's advice in mediation and refused to sign a consent order offered by Clarke, allowing him 165 days of custody a year. The DVO was varied in the Holland Park Magistrates Court in January 2020, returning Baxter's full access to his children. Baxter and Clarke then went to mediation, with Baxter refusing to sign the consent order which would lock in custody of the children. He subsequently signed a parenting agreement that gave him the same level of access but was not legally-binding. This access was revoked in early February when police charged him with breaching the DVO. At this time, Clarke had started to legally use her maiden name rather than her married name.[12]

Attack

On 19 February 2020, Baxter set fire to the interior of the car Clarke was driving to drop their children at school, quickly burning the children restrained by seat belts in the back seat. Clarke was able to make it out of the car and allegedly told witnesses that Baxter had poured petrol on her.[1] While the car was burning, Baxter attempted to stop bystanders from putting out the fire before he stabbed himself to death.[13][14] Clarke was rushed to the Royal Brisbane Hospital with burns to 97% of her body, but died there that evening.[15] A bystander who tried to assist was also hospitalised [16]

Funeral

Clarke and her children were buried on 9 March 2020. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk attended their joint funeral.[17]

Legacy

In March, Clarke's family established the foundation 'Small Steps 4 Hannah' in honour of Hannah, Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey.[18] The charity states its establishment is to "put a HALT to the incidences and severity of domestic and family violence in Australia".[19]

On 23 February, over 1000 people gathered to celebrate and mourn the family in a public vigil held at the Bill Hewitt Reserve in Camp Hill.[20] A small section of the same reserve was later memorialised as 'Hannah's Place' with a sign, shelter and newly planted trees. On 8 September 2020, 'Hannah's Place' was opened by Coorparoo Councillor, Cr Fiona Cunningham along with Clarke's family, on what would've been Hannah's 32nd birthday. [21]

Clarke was named one of Marie Claire Magazine's 'Women of the Year' in their December 2020 issue, for the nationwide awareness brought to the issue of coercive control in Australia.[22]

See also

References
  1. "Hannah Baxter dies in hospital after three children killed in suspected murder-suicide in Brisbane's Camp Hill, father Rowan Baxter dies at scene". ABC Australia. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  2. Craw, Victoria (19 February 2020). "Hannah Baxter dies after suffering burns in horrific Brisbane car fire". NewsComAu. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  3. "I survived my abuser. But Hannah Clarke's murder is a reminder that many women aren't so lucky". ABC Australia. 23 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  4. "Murder of Hannah Clarke and kids prompts 'incredible surge' in men seeking to stop domestic violence". SBS. 23 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  5. "Why do men kill their families? Here's what the research says". The Conversation. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  6. "'We are a nation in pain': Tears and anger at Brisbane vigil for Hannah Clarke and her three children". SBS. 24 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  7. "Killer dad Rowan Baxter who torched wife, 3 kids, was misogynist cheater". New York Post. 23 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  8. "Killer Rowan Baxter 'hated women', cousin says". Yahoo Australia. 23 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  9. "'Perpetrator of violence': Man who pledged to love wife killed her and three kids after they fled". news.com.au. 25 February 2020.
  10. "Friend of Hannah Clarke said she was emotionally, financially and sexually abused by estranged husband Rowan Baxter for more than 10 years". Perth Now. 21 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  11. "Rowan Baxter 'couldn't move past the relationship' with Hannah Clarke despite shared custody arrangement, a source reveals". ABC Australia. 22 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  12. "Camp Hill tragedy: Hannah was 'excited' for 2020 with her kids. They only got 50 days". Brisbane Times. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  13. Foster, Ally (21 February 2020). "Witnesses describe 'awful' scene as father kills family before taking his own life in Brisbane car fire". News.com.au. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  14. "Brisbane car fire: Hannah Baxter dies of injuries, three children killed in suspected family violence case". The Guardian. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  15. "Mourners hear of Hannah Clarke's lost dreams at Camp Hill vigil". The Australian. 23 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  16. "Hannah Clarke 'sacrificed everything' for her children, says family". 9now.nine.com.au. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  17. Riga, Rachel (9 March 2020). "Hannah Clarke and her children remembered as hundreds attend funeral service in Brisbane". ABC News. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  18. "Small Steps 4 Hannah". LMCT Brisbane. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  19. "Small Steps 4 Hannah". www.smallsteps4hannah.com.au. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  20. Hartley, Anna; Hamilton-Smith, Lexy; staff (23 February 2020). "Hannah Clarke's family thank crowd at public vigil who 'restored our faith that there are good people in this world'". ABC News. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  21. Stone, Lucy (12 August 2020). "Park section now a permanent memorial to Hannah Clarke and her children". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  22. "Domestic Violence Victim Hannah Clarke Honoured in Marie Claire's Women of the Year For Her Bravery". Marie Claire. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
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