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Family of Hannah McGuire make heart-wrenching decision

A tight-knit community have rallied behind the family of Hannah McGuire, a 23-year-old teacher who was allegedly murdered by her estranged partner. Hannah's parents have made the heart-wrenching decision to reopen their family-run pub, the National Hotel in the town of Clunes, north of Ballarat, in the days after Hannah's death. As the hotel reopened, locals came together to lay flowers, buy drinks and share memories. “It’s the saddest thing, I can’t believe it,” one patron told <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/pub-run-by-family-of-hannah-mcguire-allegedly-murdered-by-ex-partner-reopens-in-clunes-north-of-ballarat--c-14266127" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7News</a>. “To the young girl, we gave her all the best." In the wake of Hannah's death, the women of Ballarat are set to join together for an emotional gathering to demand an end to violence against women. The Ballarat region's Samantha Murphy, Rebecca Young and Hannah McGuire have all allegedly died at the hands of men since the beginning of February. A rally will begin at Ballarat train station on Friday before gathering at Camp Street, family members of the victims, community leaders and family violence specialists will address the gathering. Organiser Sissy Austin, who was herself savagely attacked while on a run in 2023, said the issue was a national crisis. "Us Ballarat women, we're coming together to stand in solidarity, to feel less alone and to show the country that we're united," Ms Austin told AAP. "We're here to fight for our rights to live safely in our community for generations to come. "The Ballarat community aren't going to succumb to the violence that has been perpetrated in our town." Ms Austin said the three killings in a little over two months had stunned the community. "Women are living on eggshells," she said. "The most immediate thing that we need to do, particularly as women, is to unite and show men who choose to use violence in our community that we stand against it," she added. "Enough is enough." Image credits: Google Maps / Facebook

Caring

"You were our whole damn sky": Tributes flow after alleged murder of young teacher

The family of a young teacher from Victoria are in mourning after the body of 23-year-old was found in a burnt-out car just hours after she was reported missing. Hannah McGuire was found near State Forest Rd in Scarsdale, an area near Ballarat surrounded by bushland, on Friday after her family had reported her missing just before. On Sunday, two young men were arrested over her death, and on Monday, a 21-year-old was charged with one count of murder. The young man is believed to be Hannah's ex-boyfriend, who had been living with Ms McGuire for about a year before their recent separation. Police will allege the man drove her body to a remote national park and set the car on fire, before posting a loving tribute on social media and telling her friends she had taken her own life. The man will appear in Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. As news of Hannah's untimely death broke, her parents shared a heart-wrenching tribute to their daughter on Facebook. Her parents run the National Hotel in the regional town of Clunes, and shared their tribute on their business Facebook page to inform patrons that the pub will remain closed until Wednesday. "Thank you everyone for your love, support and kind words. Our hearts are broken," the post read." "You weren’t just a star to us. You were our whole damn sky. Miss you Princess!" A <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-hannah-mcguire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> page has been set up by the Clunes Cricket Club supporting McGuire’s family, and has already raised over $45,000. “As a community we send our deepest love and condolences to Glenn, Debbie, Jude and Fletcher,” the club said. “Hannah was known by many as a bright young woman and had a heart of gold.” Image credits: Facebook / GoFundMe

Legal

Verdict delivered over fatal Rust shooting

The armourer on the set of the film Rust has been charged with involuntary manslaughter over the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Halyna Hutchins, who was 42 and a mother to a young son, died after being fatally shot by Alec Baldwin on the set of the Western movie in October 2021. Baldwin has repeatedly denied responsibility, insisting he did not pull the trigger. Now, armourer Hannah Gutierrez has been found guilty, with the jury hearing that Gutierrez, 26, had been ultimately responsible for the use of live rounds on set. Over a 10-day trial in New Mexico, the court heard how she had repeatedly failed to adhere to basic safety rules by leaving guns unattended on set, and allowing actors — including Baldwin — to wave the weapons around. “This is not a case where Hannah Gutierrez made one mistake and that one mistake was accidentally putting a live round into that gun,” prosecutor Kari Morrissey told the jury in her closing argument Wednesday. “This case is about constant, never-ending safety failures that resulted in the death of a human being and nearly killed another.” The judge remanded her in custody ahead of her sentencing, which is not expected before next month, as she faces up to 18 months’ prison. Despite Baldwin long claiming his innocence over the shooting, ballistics experts have dismissed the claim, saying the gun could not have discharged any other way. His own involuntary manslaughter trial is expected in July. Image credits: Getty Images

Legal

Game, set, love match! Aussie tennis star debuts new girlfriend

Aussie tennis champion Thanasi Kokkinakis has debuted his new girlfriend after keeping their relationships a secret for "several months". The Adelaide player was spotted with Hannah Dal Sasso in Melbourne, marking the first time they have been spotted together in public. According to reports from the Herald Sun, the loved-up pair attended a gala event ahead of the upcoming Formula 1 Grand Prix at Albert Park. Sasso, a Melbourne-based content creator and social media influencer, confirmed they are seeing each other. “We met a few months ago," she said. “I’ve been travelling with him for a bit.” Dal Sasso also attended the Miami Open in support of her new beau, where Kokkinakis was knocked out in the second round. Kokkinakis has long tried to keep his private life out of the headlines, and quickly had to shut down romance rumours just weeks ago when an innocent tweet sent fans buzzing. The Aussie tennis champ had fans overreacting when he posted a simple but sweet message about Elena Rybakina after she won the Indian Wells WTA title. “Rybakina looks like the nicest girl ever,” Kokkinakis tweeted as Rybakina accepted the trophy. After fans ran wild in the comments, he was forced to add a few minutes later, “Not having a crack (crying laughing emoji) relaaaax.” Image credits: Getty Images / Instagram

Relationships

"Too young to leave us": Aussie woman killed in holiday accident

A young woman from Melbourne has tragically died while on holiday with her family after a devastating motorcycle crash. Saarah Hannah Bulbul, 25, was on the back of the bike when the rider lost control and crashed on July 28 in Istanbul, Turkey, according to <a title="www.heraldsun.com.au" href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/saarah-bulbul-tributes-for-mitcham-lawyer-former-vermont-secondary-college-student/news-story/9f4af8645dcf99c1fa8cbf531cf0420b" data-tgev="event119" data-tgev-container="bodylink" data-tgev-order="9f4af8645dcf99c1fa8cbf531cf0420b" data-tgev-label="leader" data-tgev-metric="ev">The Herald Sun.</a> While the driver managed to escape uninjured, Sarah died from her injuries on the way to the hospital. Ms Bulbul was travelling through Turkey with her parents and two sisters before the tragic accident, as the family will remain in Turkey, confirming Saarah will be buried at a family cemetery there. “We’re all devastated, she genuinely was full of life and had everything she ever wanted and everything was going right for her,” Saarah’s heartbroken sister Nesi told the Herald Sun. “It’s just way too quick and soon, and it doesn’t seem real yet.” Ms Bulbul was about 10 months into her first job as a lawyer with Grindal Legal in South Melbourne, after completing her degree at the city’s Swinbourne University. “She loved her job and she was smashing it, she loved working there and recently they told her she was going places,” sister Nesi said. Ms Bulbul's former high school principal Tony Jacobs described Ms Bulbul as “a vibrant, animated and energetic member of the school community”. “Saarah will always be remembered and sadly missed by all school friends and teachers,” Mr Jacobs said. “Our thoughts go out to the family and closest friends over the loss of someone too young to leave us.” Image credits: Facebook / LinkedIn

News

"Final act of cowardice" by Hannah Clarke’s ex-husband

Content warning: This article contains distressing content and descriptions of domestic violence. A coroner has recommended widespread changes to domestic violence training and support in Australia while delivering her findings on the deaths of Hannah Clarke and her children at the hands of her ex-husband. Deputy State Coroner Jane Bentley became emotional while delivering her findings, detailing the final moments of the young family during Rowan Baxter’s “final act of cowardice”. Clarke and her children, six-year-old Aaliyah, four-year-old Laianah, and three-year-old Trey, died after Baxter, her ex-husband, ambushed the family on their way to school in February, 2020. After dousing their car in petrol, neighbours watched on in horror as he set the vehicle alight. In Bentley’s findings, published on Wednesday, it was revealed that Clarke died from multi-organ failure as a result of the fire. Bentley said the three children died at 8.25am on February 19 from the effects of the fire, while Baxter died from a self-inflicted stab wound. "The children died almost immediately from the inhalation of fumes and burns," Bentley said. "Hannah had received full-thickness, non-survivable burns." Despite suffering severe injuries, Bentley said Clarke showed “astounding bravery” and was able to describe what Baxter had done to nearby witnesses. Her findings come three months after the long-awaited coronial inquest into the deaths began. During the inquest, the court was told of how Baxter displayed controlling and abusive behaviour towards Clarke, including controlled what she wore and who she could see, demanding sex every night, and berating her body image. The court was told that Baxter abducted Laianah on Boxing Day 2019, taking her to northern NSW before returning her several days later. In another incident, Baxter assaulted Clarke after she confronted him about why he had explicit photos of her in his car - which was evidence he hoped to use in court. Bentley said she found it unlikely that police, service providers or family could have stopped Baxter from carrying out his “murderous” plans, describing him as a “master of manipulation”. "After Hannah left him and he realised he could no longer control her, he began to rally support from friends he had not seen for years and professionals he considered could advance his cause,” Bentley said. She described him killing himself as a “final act of cowardice” since he was unable to live with the public denunciation and punishment he would be subject to. "The truth is Hannah, who knew him best, was initially in favour of him having contact with the children … but she perceived he was becoming more dangerous," Bentley said. "Her fears were genuine and realistic and ultimately confirmed in the worst way." The coroner said there were missed opportunities to keep Baxter accountable, including their response to his breaching of the domestic violence order. The court heard that training of police officers, particularly frontline officers, around domestic violence was insufficient, and that there was a “significant lack of counselling programmes and support” for perpetrators in Queensland. "However, in this case, I am satisfied that even had it been available, Baxter was not interested in engaging in such programmes unless it furthered his cause … [of] Hannah agreeing to his wishes," she said. Bentley made four recommendations, including that the Queensland government fund the police to provide "five-day face-to-face domestic violence training programme for all specialist domestic violence police officers", and mandatory face-to-face training for all police officers. "My final recommendation is that the Queensland government provide funding for men's behaviour change programmes both in prisons and in the community as a matter of urgency," Bentley said. "I offer my most sincere condolences to Mr and Mrs Clarke, other family members and friends and family of their children." Outside court, Hannah’s parents Sue and Lloyd Clarke said they were pleased with the findings. "We expected most of the results," Clarke told reporters. "We need to see everything that's been recommended implemented in every state." If you are in need of support or are a victim of domestic violence, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the national family violence counselling service on 1800 737 732. Image: Nine News

Family & Pets

Video shows Rowan Baxter purchasing killing tools

A video showing Rowan Baxter purchasing the tools he would use to kill Hannah Clarke and their three children has played in court. CCTV showed Baxter at a local Brisbane Bunnings store buying zip ties, cleaning fluid and fuel at about 6 pm on February 17, 2020, just two days before the horrific murder. Wearing a black singlet and shorts, Baxter also appeared to wander around before paying for the items. Later that afternoon, Baxter called a men’s support helpline where he said he was the victim. "My wife, to be honest, it's almost like a game to put her in a better position for family court," he was heard saying, <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/inquest-into-hannah-clarkes-death-tracks-killers-movements-in-days-before-murder-brisbane-queensland/d882dce1-d321-4cd6-9791-0f37d4892e91" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nine News</a> reported. "I'm not the one who has the problem. I'm just doing what I'm told. "I never even thought my wife was capable of doing anything like this." On 19 February, 2020, before Baxter set alight to the family car with Ms Clarke and their three children - Aaliyah, Laianah, and Trey - he was seen at a Caltex petrol station purchasing 4.6L of fuel and three Kinder Surprises. Ms Clarke was taking her three children to school when Baxter doused them with fuel. The three children died at the scene while Ms Clarke was taken to hospital. Baxter later stabbed himself with a knife and died. Ms Clarke suffered burns to 97 per cent of her body and, despite her injuries, was able to give police three statements about what happened. The inquest continues. Image: CCTV footage

Legal

Chilling footage emerges in Hannah Clarke case

Content warning: This article mentions domestic violence. Bodycam footage of a distraught Hannah Clarke speaking to police after her “psycho” husband abducted one of their children has been shown during the coronial inquest into her and her children’s deaths. The inquest is examining the 2020 deaths of Ms Clarke and her three children - Aaliyah, Laianah, and Trey - and her estranged husband Rowan Baxter, who set the family alight in a car on a suburban street, as reported by <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/qld/the-devastating-moment-hannah-clarke-was-told-by-police-theres-not-a-great-deal-we-can-do-c-6243136" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7News</a>. In the footage, Ms Clarke spoke to officers when her husband drove off with one of their three children after the family met at a Brisbane park on Boxing Day in 2019. Ms Clarke said she and Mr Baxter had been separated for a few weeks but that she feared getting a domestic violence order against him, fearing it would worsen the situation. She said she refused to let Mr Baxter have the kids overnight out of fear he wouldn’t return them to her, and that Mr Baxter then put four-year-old Laianah in a car and drove off. “Now he’s telling me he won’t give her back … because I’ve said to him you need to wait till we can get this sorted, you’re not having them stay with you because you won’t return them,” Ms Clarke told police. “The other two are absolutely beside themselves.She’s (Laianah’s) balling her eyes out. “(He’s) just a psycho, (saying) that he’s taking her and that’s it. “He’s just called me now and said you either bring the other two back or I keep her. “They were in my care. “I was doing good by letting them see him.” She also explained why didn’t take out a legal order against him, despite having spoken to police about him previously. “The only reason I didn’t was because I was scared it would antagonise the situation more,” she said. Tragically, one of the officers told her there was nothing they could do. “Without any orders in place, there’s not a great deal we can do in relation to the custody of the children,” the officer said in the video. “Being the biological father, he does have a right to the child. We can’t just go and take the child.” Ms Clarke then asked, “Even though he’s taken her away from me when they were in my care?” “Yeah, unfortunately, because he is the biological father of the child, we can’t just go and seize the child and give her back to you,” the officer explained. Ms Clarke said the situation was “messed up” and detailed some of Mr Baxter’s treatment of her. “There’s been a lot of domestic violence. Not physical, but emotional. Controlling me et cetera. So it just got too much, I just couldn’t do it anymore,” she said. “So I took the kids and we left.” Mr Baxter took Laianah for two days before she was returned to Ms Clarke due to police intervention. A police protection notice was placed against Mr Baxter three days later, starting the process for Ms Clarke to get a permanent domestic violence order against him. He then breached a temporary order on January 31 when he grabbed Ms Clarke’s wrist during an altercation at her parents’ home while dropping off their son. On Tuesday, the inquest also heard from members of the Queensland Police and the Queensland Police Union, who appeared before Queensland Coroners Court. The footage is available to view <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/qld/the-devastating-moment-hannah-clarke-was-told-by-police-theres-not-a-great-deal-we-can-do-c-6243136" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Image: 7News

Family & Pets

New details emerge in tragic deaths of Hannah Clarke and her children

Content warning: This article contains distressing details relating to an act of domestic violence which may disturb some readers. New details surrounding the murder of Hannah Clarke and her children have emerged during an pre-inquest hearing investigating whether their deaths could have been prevented. Hannah Clarke and her three children - Aaliyah, six; Laianah, four; and Trey, three - were doused in petrol and burned alive by estranged husband Rowan Baxter in Brisbane in early 2020. “The purpose of this inquest is not to identify the deceased, the cause nor the place of their deaths, or even the perpetrator who took their lives,” Jacoba Brasch QC, the counsel assisting the coroner, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/dec/07/hannah-clarke-inquest-in-brisbane-to-examine-the-warning-signs-which-were-missed" target="_blank">told the court</a> on Tuesday. “The evidence on these matters is abundant and, tragically, painfully clear. This inquest must look backwards, at the warning signs which were missed or, it identified, whether appropriate actions were taken at the time to address those risks.” <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846188/hannah-clarke1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/eb5109f56fcc4adb95cd52039956ea49" /> Hannah Clarke with her children Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey. Image: @smallsteps4hannah (Instagram) The court heard that just before 8.30 am on February 19, Clarke left her parents’ home with her children and was intercepted by Baxter, when he climbed into the passenger’s seat armed with a knife and a can of petrol. “Hannah screamed at Baxter to get out of the car. Her screams were desperate and fearful - we know this because a worried neighbour recorded them,” Brasch said. Baxter then ordered Clarke to drive while he poured petrol over her and through the cabin of the car. After driving for just 200 metres, she pulled into a driveway where a man was washing his car and begged him to call the police. Then the car exploded. “The explosion was so loud, it rattled windows across the street and some thought they heard a gas explosion,” the hearing was told. Though Clarke was able to free herself from the car, she was completely engulfed in flames. Her injuries were so severe they couldn’t be treated, and she died from them later that afternoon. Baxter was also badly burnt, but able to grab his knife from the burning car and impale himself, puncturing his heart and killing himself. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846189/hannah-clarke2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/7bb9301ee0ee463eb6a6240151bc0992" /> Hannah Clarke with her children Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey. Image: @smallsteps4hannah (Instagram) The court heard that just before 8.30 am on February 19, Clarke left her parents’ home with her children and was intercepted by Baxter, when he climbed into the passenger’s seat armed with a knife and a can of petrol. “Hannah screamed at Baxter to get out of the car. Her screams were desperate and fearful - we know this because a worried neighbour recorded them,” Brasch <a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/news/qld/shocking-details-of-murder-of-hannah-clarke-and-her-children-revealed-ahead-of-qld-coronial-inquest-c-4847260" target="_blank">said</a>. Baxter then ordered Clarke to drive while he poured petrol over her and through the cabin of the car. After driving for just 200 metres, she pulled into a driveway where a man was washing his car and begged him to call the police. Then the car exploded. “The explosion was so loud, it rattled windows across the street and some thought they heard a gas explosion,” the hearing was told. Though Clarke was able to free herself from the car, she was completely engulfed in flames. Her injuries were so severe they couldn’t be treated, and she died from them later that afternoon. Baxter was also badly burnt, but able to grab his knife from the burning car and impale himself, puncturing his heart and killing himself. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846190/hannah-clarke3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/58407a7cdf0d4b708e6be8ec09dfe87b" /> Hannah Clarke’s parents, Sue and Lloyd, at her funeral. Image: 7News Brasch described the murders of Clarke and her children as acts of “unimaginable cruelty”, but said the hearings were needed to determine if their lives could have been saved. Speaking outside court, Clarke’s parents, Lloyd and Sue Clarke, said they hoped the hearings would bring some kind of closure. “It will be good to have it finally over and hopefully it will fill in a few missing pieces for us,” Sue Clarke said. “If we can save just one more life through things that are found out, that would be great.” If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). In an emergency, call 000. Image: Jono Searle (Getty Images) / @smallsteps4hannah (Instagram)

Caring

High honour for Hannah's last heroic act

Queensland mum Hannah Clarke has been posthumously honoured as one of Australia’s Women of the Year after she was was murdered along with her three young children by her estranged partner. Hannah was dropping her kids off to school when her estranged partner Rowan Baxter, 42, jumped into the passenger seat of her car and doused the family in petrol in a suburban Brisbane street on February 19. He set them all alight before telling people in the street not to help. He then took his own life. The three children died in the car while Hannah jumped out screaming: “He’s poured petrol on me.” She died later in the hospital but was able to give police a detailed statement beforehand outlining the horrific incident and years of abuse. Now, the 31-year-old has been recognised in the annual Marie Claire Women of the Year list for her bravery in bringing attention to a lesser known form of abuse - coercive control. “Though she had burns to 97 per cent of her body, Hannah still managed to give police a clear and articulate statement,” Hannah’s mother, Sue Clarke, told Marie Claire. “She pushed herself to repeat it; the police were in awe. It was truly to make him pay – she was going to fight for her babies to the end.” Before Hannah was killed, she was living with her parents to escape Baxter’s controlling behaviour. Nicky Briger, Marie Claire editor, said Hannah displayed “incredible bravery and resilience during those last horrific hours of her life to ensure her story was told” and it was important her efforts were recognised. “Because of Hannah, coercive control was given nationwide attention, and now her parents – Sue and Lloyd – are carrying on her legacy by fighting to make coercive control a crime in Australia,” she said.

Caring

“Our marriage is not fake”: Bride responds to online abuse

For many, weddings are supposed to be the happiest day of our lives. However for one bride, her special moment with her husband was turned into a circus when she revealed her wedding photos to the world. Hannah Aylward told her followers of the cruel insults she received after sharing news of her wedding to Shane Burcaw. Hannah and Shane wed in a backyard ceremony on September 4, and took to Instagram to announce their happy news last week. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7837872/couple-marriage-wedding.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/41cee0cf1f8c4d27a8c59ffee38ebf7c" /> Shane has spinal muscular atrophy, and with his wife Hannah they boast more than 700,000 subscribers on their Youtube account, Squirmy and Grubs. Spinal muscular atrophy is a genetic condition that affects the nerves that monitor muscle movement. Muscles become weak and damaged before eventually wasting away. When Hannah shared their wedding pictures, they had thousands of comments wishing them well. Unfortunately, she also was forced to deal with cruel comments saying their wedding was “some kind of joke” and that it must have been “photoshopped”. “But for real thought … does she also have another partner for having sex with?” one comment read. “I’m saying this without any kind of apologies. I’m pretty sure that woman married him because if (sic) money and not for love,” another person claimed. “Some of us women will do anything and everything for money, even if it means putting up a front, pretending just to get what they want. No not true love.” In response Hannah took to Instagram to say that despite documenting their relationship on Youtube for years, they had still had to put up with people claiming it was fake. “A few years ago, reading words like these was painful,” she said. “For a while, I held onto the idea that once Shane and I were married, all the people doubting our relationship would realise it was real.” Hannah went on to say that she was “not that naive” now. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7837871/couple-marriage-wedding-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/451c892d78384228b5abcf8920c3f3ce" /> She has learnt to ignore hurtful comments and instead focus on the positive impact sharing her relationship has had. “Shane and I continue to make content and share our story with the hopes of showing as many people as we can that disabled people are worthy partners,” she said. In an article for Today back in 2019, Shane said that many people assumed his then-girlfriend Hannah was his caregiver. “This one feels quite obvious, but you’d be shocked by how often strangers assume that Hannah is my nurse, my mom, my sister or my babysitter,” he wrote. “Hannah and I were once checking out at a liquor store when the cashier said to Hannah: ‘Does this big guy want a lollipop?’” Shane said he and Hannah had a “satisfying intimate life” and their relationship was “not special”. “As our YouTube channel has grown, hundreds, if not thousands of couples in similar situations have reached out to us,” he wrote. “It turns out, people with disabilities are in fact still human, with emotional wants and needs like everyone else!”

Relationships

“I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you”: Hundreds attend funeral for Hannah Clarke and her children

Three young Brisbane children who were doused in petrol and set alight by their father have been remembered as gorgeous, fun-loving siblings who were the light of their mother’s life. The funeral for Hannah Clarke and her children Laianah, Aaliyah and Trey took place today, three weeks after her estranged husband Rowan Baxter sent shock waves throughout the country for the horrific act he committed. They are being laid to rest in a single white coffin, adorned with pink flowers, with Ms Clarke’s parents Lloyd and Suzanne Clarke surrounded by family, friends and well-wishers. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7835032/4.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/6defef5cef704016a7c583bf7c6fb568" /> Addressing the large crowd who showed up to honour Hannah and her children, her younger brother, Nat, said he had loved his “amazing sister” from the moment he was born, and said they weren’t just siblings, but best friends. “Hannah was the greatest mum to walk the earth,” he said. Mr Clarke said his sister had been looking forward to finally being happy after leaving her husband and starting to rebuild her life. “I am so sorry I couldn’t protect you,” he said. He went on to pay tribute to his nieces and nephews, who he said had their mother’s traits. “Aaliyah, you were everything a big sister should be, brave, strong and quite bossy,” Mr Clarke said. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7835033/5.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/5bdb139c3bc045e5ae5616fd155f2f76" /> “Laianah, you were the ratbag, the little middle. There was so much of Hannah in you. You were beautiful, sweet and caring with an amazing imagination. You were the sweetest kid and a beautiful mermaid. “Trey, mother’s little man and her best surprise.” Mourners were visibly emotional throughout the service, with many placing colourful butterfly stickers similar to a tattoo of Ms Clarke’s on the casket. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7835031/3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/d1de74e3c1214055bf262012c5723916" /> Among those paying tribute to the young mum, was friend Lou Farmer. “Han was the best role model for her daughters; she knew her worth,” said Ms Farmer. “Hannah, the impact you had on people shows how special you are.” Other notable people in attendance were Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll, senior police officers, firefighters and paramedics. Details and the location of the funeral service were not released publicly at the family’s request.

News

Friend reveals killer dad Rowan Baxter plotted to kill other family members

The man who killed his estranged wife and their three children in a car fire planned on murdering other people, his wife’s friend said. Rowan Baxter ambushed Hannah Clarke and their children Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4 and Trey, 3, on their school run before dousing the four in petrol and setting them alight in a car in Brisbane’s suburb of Camp Hill last week. Baxter later died from self-inflicted wounds. Speaking to <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/rowan-baxter-hannah-clarkes-killer-had-planned-to-murder-expartner-and-son/news-story/da79c7251c769c172289187793bcd76d">The Australian</a>, Clarke’s friend Nikki Brooks said Baxter had told Clarke how he had planned to kill his ex-partner and their son Isaiah years earlier. “Hannah had told me that he had a rope and something in his car,” Brooks said. “He’d driven to do it. He’d prepared what he needed to kill Isaiah and [Isaiah’s mother] and then didn’t do it. Isaiah would have been maybe seven or eight. It was the first time she was going to leave him as well.” Brooks said Baxter told Clarke he had almost killed another person in a separate incident, resulting in a conviction for grievous bodily harm. “Hannah just knew there was a road rage incident – he lost his mind and nearly beat someone to death,” she said. “He would make it out to be someone else’s fault, of course – someone did something and he acted the way he did because he had a baby in the car.” Brooks gave a statement to Queensland police a week before Clarke’s death. “I was giving an affidavit to the police to support Hannah’s claim that he’d breached a Domestic Violence Order,” she told <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/camp-hill-car-fire-hannah-clarkes-best-friend-predicts-tragedy/9f5a1aaf-578a-46d4-8122-f1c1c122fef7">A Current Affair</a>. Brooks said when Clarke “knew she’d made the right decision” when she left Baxter late last year. “The day she came back she stayed with me and we felt safe. He didn’t know where I lived,” Brooks said. “It was the happiest afternoon and night of our lives … She just looked relieved and she just seemed really happy. She knew she’d made the right decision.” The Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust is now assisting Clarke’s family to set up a charity named ‘Small Steps 4 Hannah’, which aims to raise awareness of domestic violence and help save lives.

Legal

“I don’t know how to tell her”: Best friend of little girl murdered by evil father still unaware of death

The best friend of slain Hannah Clarke’s youngest little girl is still unaware that her mate has passed away. Four-year-old Laianah Baker was murdered last Wednesday after her father set her, her mother and her two siblings, Aaliyah, six, and Trey, three, on fire in a quadruple murder-suicide. Ms Clarke's best friend Lou Farmer told A Current Affair on Tuesday she is still having trouble to tell her young daughter, Heidi that her best friend was killed in the incident. “My ten and seven-year-old they understand. I can't even go there with Heidi. Heidi and Laianah were best friends,” she said, as she choked back tears. Ms Farmer says she had known her dear friend Hannah Clarke for four years, and revealed they had recently gotten together for a party shortly before the tragedy unfolded. “We had the most perfect pool party, and wines, and the best afternoon. I just don't know how to tell my little girl that Laianah, her best friend is gone,” she shared. Three close friends of Ms Clarke’s spoke out about the tragedy in a tolling interview where they revealed they had fears her estranged husband Rowan Baxter would harm the family. Nikki Brooks, a friend Ms Clarke’s for over 17 years, admitted she’s spoken with Queensland Police just one week before the murders to give a statement regarding Baxter's breach of his Domestic Violence Order. “I looked the detective in the eye and I said, ‘I think he's going to take them all out,’” Ms Brooks said. “She said, ‘I've got a bad feeling too.’” It had been Ms Brook’s home that had proven to be a haven for the mum-of-three when her relationship with Baxter turned abusive in 2019. Ms Clarke had confided in her closest four girl friends of the abuse, and it was Ms Brooks who says they now feel “a lot of guilt” over what had happened. “I feel like we've definitely influenced her decision. We said, ‘Han, enough's enough’. “It was getting bad and we had to get her out of there.” “The day she came back she stayed with me and we felt safe. He [Baxter] didn't know where I lived. “She just looked relieved and she seemed really happy. She knew she made the right decision.” Ms Brooks spoke in front of more than 1,000 mourners at a vigil held for Ms Clarke and her family at Whites Hill State College in Camp Hill on Sunday. “We are a nation in pain,” she said. “Don't back away from your friends for the sake of convenience. “Time's up on domestic violence.”

Relationships

"I could be next": Abused women fearful of Rowan Baxter copycats

Hannah Clarke’s brother has opened up about the horror he had faced after hearing the traumatic way his sister and her children were murdered, while a women’s legal service reveals there has been an increase in calls from women saying their partners have threatened to kill them the same way. Ms Clarke and her three children were brutally killed in Brisbane last week after her estranged husband, Rowan Baxter, doused them in petrol and set them alight. Speaking to 7.30, her brother, Nathaniel Clarke, said the things that “cut me the deepest” is that Baxter made them suffer. “It wasn’t quick. It was planned and executed,” said Mr Clarke. “He had a plan that night when he called the kids and he was a blubbering mess. He knew what he was doing then. He had it all planned out, he knew what he was doing the following morning. “He couldn’t even do it quick. That’s the worst thing. He made them suffer, and her.” Angela Lynch, CEO of Women’s Legal Service Queensland, said the service had been inundated with calls since the incident. “We’ve had clients and women saying that their perpetrators and their partner is saying they’re going to do what he did to them. They are fearful and something inside them has said, ‘I could be next’,” said Ms Lynch. Mr Clarke said the day his sister was killed was “the worst day of my life”. “I was out in the paddock working, and the bloke I work with called me in and said, ‘Look, you’ve got to take this, it’s personal,” said Mr Clarke. “I took it and my wife couldn’t get the words out. I got: ‘You need to come home’, and then silence. And my heart broke. I didn’t know if it was my kids, I didn’t know what was going on. “And then the next thing she said is: ‘He killed them all’.” Mr Clarke then called his father who had told him that his sister was in intensive care. “I didn’t know the magnitude of what had happened,” said Mr Clarke. “It had been explained on the phone what sort of had happened, but I didn’t know the whole nation had already stopped.” Mr Clarke said looking back, there weren’t many signs over the years that Baxter was a toxic individual. “He seemed at the start like a good bloke,” said Mr Clarke. “There were a few things but you didn’t see, obviously, what we’ve seen now. You couldn’t have seen that from the start.” He said one of the “small things” was that he and his sister suddenly started having less contact. “You think something’s wrong but you can’t put your finger on it,” said Mr Clarke. “You just sort of think, ‘Oh, it’s just family problems between you and your sister’ … but to look back, in a big picture over a timeline, you can now see triggers, I suppose, of, ‘OK, this makes a lot more sense now on what he was trying to do’.” Mr Clarke said his brother-in-law’s controlling nature was more obvious in the last two or three years. "He was the type of person that had to win everything, had to be the best at everything, really didn't like when he wasn't," he said. "He had to control every moment he was in. "To be one of those people, it does make you selfish, and that was it. It was all about him." Mr Clarke said he never imagined that Baxter was capable of carrying out such a brutal attack. "Hannah had her suspicions that he might try to do something to her, but we all thought, 'No, he couldn't'. "It was just a vicious attack to make her suffer as long as he could. And that was it. It was just — I still can't get over it."

News

“Nation in pain”: Mourners pay tribute to Hannah Clarke and her children at Brisbane vigil

There have been tears shed and anger expressed at a vigil held in Brisbane for Hannah Clarke and her three children who were murdered by her estranged husband. Over a thousand family, friends and strangers showed up to the public memorial which was held on Sunday evening, remembering the 31-year-old mother as a beautiful, strong woman, and her children Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4 and Trey, 3, as happy and joyful. Ms Clarke’s estranged husband Rowan Baxter doused her and their children with petrol before setting them alight in the family car in Camp Hill on Wednesday. An act that shocked the nation. Ms Clarke’s brother Nathaniel Clarke, who had his father’s support, spoke to mourners and described her as selfless and someone who always put others before herself. “For those who did know Hannah, she was the most amazing person you could ever meet,” he said. “You would always leave there smiling. She had to share everyone’s big moments and she would always be there. “When something like this happens to someone like that, you lose a bit of faith in the world.” Mr Baxter, who has been branded a “violent monster” by Ms Clarke’s family and friends, died at the scene from self-inflicted wounds. “I don’t want us to get caught up in the blame game – there was no excuse, there could never be an excuse,” said friend Nikki Brookes. “The blame lives and dies with him. “We are a nation in pain, whether you knew our beautiful Hannah or not, we are all deeply affected by this tragedy.” Hannah’s father Lloyd Clarke thanked first responders and those who had shown the family support. “This has been the hardest week of our lives,” he said. “[We] have been overwhelmed by the number of people who have gone out of their way to offer their support and help when our whole world has collapsed. “You’ve restored our faith that there are good and decent people in this world.”

News

"Driven too far": Anger over detective's comments on murder of Hannah Clarke and children

Queensland Police have confirmed they were aware of domestic violence issues between Hannah Clarke and Rowan Baxter. In comments that have sparked outrage among the public and domestic violence advocates, Detective Inspector Mark Thompson said the force is keeping an “open mind” and would consider if Baxter had been “driven too far” into deliberately setting his wife and three young children on fire at a Brisbane street on Wednesday morning during a school run. Clarke, 31-year-old fitness instructor, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/disgusting-human-being-relative-says-family-had-been-trying-to-escape-monster-father">died less than 24 hours</a> after being pulled out of the burning vehicle. Her three children – Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4, and Trey, 3 – died in the car. On Thursday, Thompson said the police had dealt with Clarke and Baxter in relation to domestic violence issues in the past. The Vulnerable Persons Unit had been offering the pair and their three children counselling and support through a number of community services, including the Brisbane Domestic Violence Centre. A domestic violence order was also placed against Baxter in January to protect Clarke and the children, <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/qld/rowan-baxter-subject-to-domestic-violence-order-before-allegedly-killing-hannah-clarke-and-three-children-c-708040">7News</a> reported. In a series of text messages obtained by <a href="https://www.couriermail.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts/text-messages-reveal-hannah-baxter-was-living-in-fear-of-estranged-husband/news-story/011f8efa6b2230addfd7d94b729cbbf8">The Courier-Mail</a>, a family member of Baxter told Clarke she had done the right thing in leaving. “I’m so glad I got out when I did,” Clarke wrote to the woman earlier this month. “I’m OK, struggling, but I know I’ve made the right decision.” Friends and family members of Clarke said Baxter’s actions were not a surprise, with allegations that Baxter had previously <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-21/brisbane-car-fire-hannah-clarke-rowan-baxter-family-violence/11985024">hacked her phone</a> and <a href="https://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/news/killer-who-torched-his-family-was-a-master-manipulator-victims-parents-say/news-story/72ca9e797b3a340faf9123fd5b2351bf">isolated her from her loved ones</a>. Thompson said police would keep an “open mind” about Baxter’s motives in their investigation. “We need to look at every piece of information and to put it bluntly there are probably people out there in the community that are deciding which side, so to speak, to take in this investigation,” he said. “Is this an issue of a woman suffering significant domestic violence and her and her children perishing at the hands of the husband, or is it an instance of a husband being driven too far by issues he’s suffered by certain circumstances into committing acts of this form? “The dynamics of a family that are broken and estranged are particularly poignant to this investigation … and very hard to decipher without us being able to put some sort of clarification around what’s happened.” Thompson’s statement has drawn widespread backlash. Victims’ advocate Renee Eaves said the comment suggests the police had not been taking her safety seriously. “This ... is nothing short of a flashing billboard about the mindset by some police around domestic violence,” she told <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/feb/20/queensland-police-spark-anger-with-open-mind-comment-on-of-hannah-clarke-and-children">The Guardian</a>. “If police are now implying that a murdered woman might be at fault, then that to me raises critical questions about whether they took the threat to her safety seriously enough. “A calculated monster has killed a woman and her children in the most abhorrent way anyone could imagine. Even when the worst has occurred, they’re still questioning the woman, and still looking for reasons to justify this man’s behaviour.” Politicians have also condemned Thompson. “Sorry, there’s no such thing as being driven too far. There is never an excuse for family violence. These kinds of attitudes are a serious part of the problem,” Sydney MP Tanya Plibersek said. “We don’t fumble about like this when terrorists kill – why does family violence bring out the hand-wringers for killers of women and kids?” Brian Mitchell, MP for Lyons said. On average, one woman in Australia is killed by their current or former partner every week. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, you can contact the 24-hour support line 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 for more information on support and services that can help your situation.

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"Driven too far": Anger over detective's comments on murder of Hannah Clarke and children

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