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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Abigail O'Leary

Mum's devastating last words after estranged husband set her and three children on fire

The tragic last words of a mother who was set on fire along with her three children by their estranged father have been revealed at an inquest into their deaths.

Hannah Clarke, 31, had been getting her three children, Aaliyah, six, and Laianah, four, and her son, three-year-old Trey, ready for school when they were ambushed by Rowan Baxter.

He entered the car she was using for the morning school run in Brisbane, Australia, before telling Ms Clarke: "I wanted to see my children" and telling her to "get out".

Despite suffering burns to 97% of her body, brave Hannah managed to summon the energy to tell paramedics and police what happened.

An inquest heard how Hannah told first paramedic on the scene, Stephanie Ring: "My babies are in the car, my children are in the car. Why didn't I just stay in the car with them?"

Baxter, 42, then took his own life after burning the mum and three children to death.

He had previously rejected an offer to share custody of his three children with Hannah before launching the horrific attack.

Baxter allegedly kidnapped his six-year-old daughter on Boxing Day last year, which allowed Ms Clarke to get a domestic violence order (DVO) against him.

On the opening day of the inquest, a neighbour described Hannah as "amazingly strong", as she tried to stop Baxter's attack and save her children.

The neighbour told how she heard her screaming: "Call the police, he's trying to kill me, he's put petrol on me."

CCTV footage also showed Baxter at a DIY shop buying the jerry can used in the attack, reports 9NEWS.

It was understood in the lead up to her death she had been experiencing increasing levels of violence and coercive control.

The inquest is also set to call witnesses including counsellors and police, who helped Hannah during the breakdown of her marriage - as well as a support worker who took a call from Baxter 16 hours before he killed his family in 2020.

Hannah's parents Lloyd and Sue Clarke have since dedicated their lives to preventing domestic abuse and raising awareness.

Australian Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and MP Joe Kelly lays flowers during a vigil to remember murdered mother, Hannah Clarke and her three children (Getty Images)

Mr Clarke told Daily Mail Australia: "Rowan must have been lurking somewhere close, either hidden around the side of the house or in the neighbour's driveway.

"His car was found down the street, this was definitely premeditated."

Speaking of their grandchildren, they said: "They were young, vibrant… beautiful people... she loved her children."

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