Car-fire murders: Killer dad Rowan Baxter's Facebook page becomes memorial of rage

The Facebook page of the killer Brisbane dad who burned his three kids and their mother alive in the family SUV has turned into a memorial of rage at the "putrid scum".

Less than 24 hours after Rowan Baxter ambushed his estranged wife on the school pick-up run with a jerrycan full of petrol before fatally stabbing himself, his social media profile — devoted to fitness and family — was "memorialised".

READ MORE:
• Car-fire murders: Rowan Baxter a 'disgusting human being', says relative
• Car-fire murders: Mum and three kids die after ex-Warriors player Rowan Baxter lights blaze
• Car-fire murders: Former Warrior Rowan Baxter's wife Hannah Baxter dies after fire that killed couple's three kids
• 'Goodnight my babies': Former Warriors player Rowan Baxter's Facebook posts leading up to car fire horror

It's a setting that can be requested by family members to preserve a page so that they can still check in on a loved one from time to time — but is not typically seen on the profiles of murderers.

"Remembering Rowan Baxter," reads the grim strap above the cover photo of the family of five showing off their handstands. "We hope that the people who love Rowan will find comfort in visiting his profile to remember and celebrate his life."

By Thursday morning, Baxter's page had been flooded with hundreds of comments from all over the world expressing outrage and disbelief.

Rowan Baxter plays during the NRL Pre-Season rugby league match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Parramatta Eels in 2005. Photo / Photosport

"Hope you rot in hell you putrid f***in' scum. Too much of a coward to only take yourself. Dog," one woman wrote.

Another man said, "You piece of s***, killing your kids because you're not man enough to deal with life, you are scum."

One wrote, "Rot in hell for eternity you evil c***."

Another added, "No matter how depressed you are, there is no excuse for taking another person's life. These were your children, and the mother of your children. You truly are a monster for what you have done."

Most were unable to comprehend how a father could "put his babies through such pain and agony". "I don't understand," one woman said.

Rowan Baxter and the family he has murdered. Photo / Facebook

"I don't wish anyone taking their own life but why take your innocent children with you?! They did nothing wrong! Another Chris Watts."

Another wrote, "This coward piece of s*** who could not burn to death like his children did. The horror this mother went through and her family are going to suffer. I never wish bad on anyone, I hope he rots in hell in this case."

Incredibly, a few people attempted to make excuses or downplay Baxter's act.
"It's perhaps the result of traumatic brain injuries that weren't diagnosed and treated," one person suggested. "No one in their right mind would do these acts — mental illness is a natural consequence of head trauma. He was hurting and angry."

One man raised "family law". "I absolutely do not accept what Rowan Baxter did today, however the Australian government MUST take a look at the family laws," he wrote.

"Every week up to 21 fathers commit suicide in Australia and the crazy sad thing is 90-plus per cent is a result of our STUPID parenting laws that favour immediately the mother and without reasonable doubt the dad is guilty before police investigation and or even court."

Hannah Baxter was in a car with her three children. Photo / News Corp Australia

Another woman wrote, "The problem for him was that he could not devote his life to the kids, they were taken away from him. I am not trying to justify what he did, but is a tough situation, divorce is tough on men who have kids, they don't get to see them as often as they would like."

One woman summed up the response to those arguments. "There are zero excuses for this — not mental health, not marriage breakdowns or custody battles," she wrote.
Some called for his page to be taken down out of respect for the family.

"Please stop writing on this page as it should be shut down out of respect for the family of Hannah and the children," one person said.

Former Warrior Rowan Baxter posted a number of videos playing with his 3 children well before the car fire horror. Video / Facebook / Sky News

"All the nasty comments, he can't read it so no use writing it. At least have respect for his parents and his wife's parents that can still see what everyone is writing," another wrote.

One person asked, "Who the hell are you nutters talking to? The guy's dead!"

When contacted for comment, a Facebook spokeswoman pointed to a 2019 blog post about memorialisation of accounts.

"Everyone on Facebook has the choice to either appoint a legacy contact to look after their memorialised account or have their account permanently deleted from Facebook," she said.

Where to get help:

• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)

• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)

• Youth services: (06) 3555 906

• Youthline: 0800 376 633

• Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)

• Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)

• Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)

• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155

• CASPER Suicide Prevention

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - DO YOU NEED HELP?

If it's an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

If you're in danger now:

• Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours of friends to ring for you.

• Run outside and head for where there are other people.

• Scream for help so that your neighbours can hear you.

• Take the children with you.

• Don't stop to get anything else.

• If you are being abused, remember it's not your fault. Violence is never okay

Where to go for help or more information:

• Women's Refuge: Free national crisis line operates 24/7 - 0800 refuge or 0800 733 843

• Shine, free national helpline 9am- 11pm every day - 0508 744 633

• It's Not Ok: Information line 0800 456 450

• Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and middle eastern women and their children. Crisis line 24/7 0800 742 584

• Ministry of Justice:

• National Network of Stopping Violence:

• White Ribbon: Aiming to eliminate men's violence towards women, focusing this year on sexual violence and the issue of consent.

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