Murder of Hannah Clarke

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

Hannah Clarke (formerly Baxter; 8 September 1988 – 19 February 2020) was an Australian woman who was fatally burned in a petrol fire in her car, along with her three children, in a quadruple murder–suicide by her estranged husband, Rowan Baxter, 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 alleged 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.

Background[]

Hannah Clarke met New Zealand-born Rowan Baxter, eleven years her senior, when she was aged 19.[9] Baxter, a former rugby league player, was previously married to another woman. 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 allegedly been emotionally, physically, sexually and financially abused by Baxter during their marriage.[10]

Baxter was subjected to a DVO after he allegedly kidnapped Aaliyah 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. The couple 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 This access was revoked in early February when police charged him with breaching the DVO.[11] Although unclear when she began to do so, Clarke legally used her maiden name rather than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 killing their children. 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 stopped 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]

Funeral[]

Clarke and her children were buried on 9 March 2020. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk attended their joint funeral.[16] Baxter had his own funeral, later.

Legacy[]

In March, Clarke's family established the foundation 'Small Steps 4 Hannah' in honour of the slain children.[17] The charity states its establishment is to "put a HALT to the incidences and severity of domestic and family violence in Australia".[18]

On 23 February, over 1,000 people gathered to celebrate and mourn the family in a public vigil held at the Bill Hewitt Reserve in Camp Hill.[19] 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.[20]

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.[21]

In 2021 at The Torian Pro, which was part of the semi-finals of the elite CrossFit season, athletes took part in Event 3, Hann, a memorial workout named after Hannah and based on her favourite movements. Athletes and members of the crowd were asked to wear pink in memory of Hannah and her children.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "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". News.com.au. 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. ^ a b "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. ^ Crockford, Toby; Lynch, Lydia; McElroy, Nicholas; Wuth, Robyn (20 February 2020). "Hannah was 'excited' for 2020 with her kids. They only got 50 days". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 4 May 2021. Clarification: This story previously named the children's mother as Hannah Baxter. The Queensland Police Service has since informed media she had legally been using her maiden name 'Clarke' and no longer used her married name of Baxter.
  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. ^ Riga, Rachel (9 March 2020). "Hannah Clarke and her children remembered as hundreds attend funeral service in Brisbane". ABC News. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  17. ^ "Small Steps 4 Hannah". LMCT Brisbane. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  18. ^ "Small Steps 4 Hannah". www.smallsteps4hannah.com.au. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ Stone, Lucy (12 August 2020). "Park section now a permanent memorial to Hannah Clarke and her children". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  21. ^ "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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