Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Kelly-Ann Mills

Mum and 3 children set on fire by rugby star dad Rowan Baxter buried in single coffin

A woman and her three children who were doused in petrol and set on fire by their father have been buried together today.

Hannah Clarke and her children Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey were laid to rest in one large white coffin.

The murders in Australia three weeks ago, shocked the country and the world.

Mum Hannah suffered burns to 97 per cent of her body after it is alleged her rugby player estranged husband Rowan Baxter covered her and their children Aaliyah, six, Laianah, four, and Trey, three, in petrol and set fire to their car during the school run.

Baxter, who trained for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, then killed himself by stabbing himself in the chest.

Eyewitnesses saw Hannah jumping from the burning vehicle in flames shouting "he poured petrol on me" before a neighbour rushed to her aid.

They were buried together in one coffin (AAP/PA Images)

She was rushed to the Royal Brisbane and Women's hospital where she later died.

But before she died she managed to use her final breaths to give police a full statement about what had happened.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll praised Hannah's incredible bravery moments before her death at a vigil over the weekend.

They were killed by their dad and estranged husband (Channel 9)
He doused them in petrol (AAP/PA Images)

He said: "Right through to her passing, Hannah showed amazing courage and heroism, ensuring that she gave our police and emergency services at the scene a detailed statement of the horrific events that unfolded, leading to the death of her three children and ultimately herself.

"Hannah’s determination to provide our police the information they needed to ensure justice should be served truly encapsulates the sort of person Hannah was. She was strong, she was determined, she was courageous."

At the funeral service today, Ms Clarke's parents Lloyd and Suzanne Clarke were surrounded by family, friends and supporters.

According to ABC News in Australia, her younger brother, Nat, told the packed Brisbane church he had loved his "amazing sister" from the moment he was born, and described them not as siblings, but as best friends.

"Hannah was the greatest mum to walk the earth," he said.

"I am so sorry I couldn't protect you."

Mr Clarke said his sister had been looking forward to finally being happy after leaving her husband and starting to rebuild her life.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.