Mother’s hopes for ‘great’ year snuffed out
Hannah Baxter was looking forward to a fresh beginning. But instead, she and her three children were tragically killed before they got the chance to start over.
The Australian family – Hannah, Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4, and Trey, 3 – died on Wednesday after the car they were travelling in in Brisbane was doused in petrol and set alight.
Her estranged husband, former New Zealand Warriors player Rowan Baxter, is alleged to have caused the incident, but police have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire.
Witnesses have described horrific scenes, including seeing the 31-year-old mother leap out of the burning vehicle, screaming, ‘‘He’s poured petrol on me’’.
Baxter had been on her way to drop her children at school when her 42-year-old husband allegedly poured petrol on the car the family were travelling in and set it on fire, 9News reported.
Witnesses said Rowan Baxter stabbed himself to death. His body was found at the scene.
Hannah suffered extensive burns and was taken to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, where she later died.
Hannah Baxter’s family members have since spoken out in the wake of her horrific death. Her brother Nat Clarke described the lengths his family had gone to to help his sister ‘‘escape this monster’’.
Clarke described his sister and the children as ‘‘sweet and loving’’, and said the last thing she had said to his wife was that she was ‘‘so excited this year will be great’’.
According to media reports, Baxter and her husband, who were both fitness coaches, had separated late last year and were trying to work out custody arrangements.
A family friend has said she and their children had been living with her parents in the interim.
Police say their investigations into the tragedy are continuing.
– Stuff