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Home / New Zealand

Car-fire murders: Hannah Baxter was a proud mum to her three children

By Sarah McPhee
news.com.au·
19 Feb, 2020 09:29 PM6 mins to read

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The three children killed in a car fire set by their father in Brisbane yesterday morning. Photo / Facebook

The three children killed in a car fire set by their father in Brisbane yesterday morning. Photo / Facebook

A woman critically burnt in a Brisbane car fire lit by her New Zealander husband, killing their three children, has tragically died in hospital.

She was a proud and doting mother in love with her "little princesses and prince", according to her social media accounts.

Fitness trainer Hannah Baxter died on Wednesday night after arriving in a critical condition in hospital with "extensive injuries" and significant burns.

Her husband, former rugby league player Rowan Baxter, and the couple's three children Laianah, Aaliyah and Trey, all aged under 10, died when their car went up in flames on Raven St in Camp Hill.

Hannah Baxter and Rowan Baxter with kids Laianah, Aaliyah and Trey. Photo / Facebook
Hannah Baxter and Rowan Baxter with kids Laianah, Aaliyah and Trey. Photo / Facebook
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It is understood Rowan Baxter, a former New Zealand Warriors player, was in a custody battle with Hannah Baxter and set the car alight, according to The Courier-Mail.

The pair owned Integr8 gym in Capalaba, a 20-minute drive from the scene this morning.

"Hannah is an enthusiastic, passionate mother of three," her trainer profile states.

"Coming from a highly competitive sporting background, Hannah represented Queensland in Trampoline Sports for four consecutive years."

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It says she "trained through all three pregnancies" and worked at the PCYC for seven years teaching kinder gymnastics to little kids.

On Instagram, Hannah Baxter described herself as a "proud mumma" and listed her interests as fitness and healthy eating.

"In love with my two little princesses and little prince," her private profile read.

Hannah Baxter shared numerous photos of her three young children on Facebook including professional black-and-white baby shoots and pictures of them piled on top of her at the gym.

Discover more

New Zealand|crime

Mother's heartbreaking final words: Hannah Baxter's pleas for kids

19 Feb 10:33 PM
New Zealand|crime

Laianah Baxter's heartbreaking video message to her killer dad

20 Feb 12:37 AM
World

Car-fire murders: The real reason Rowan Baxter killed his children

20 Feb 06:10 AM

"My main man," she said on January 8 this year underneath a photo of her in a bright bikini, holding her son Trey.

Hannah Baxter with her son Trey. Photo / Facebook
Hannah Baxter with her son Trey. Photo / Facebook
Rowan and Hannah Baxter in 2015. Photo / Facebook
Rowan and Hannah Baxter in 2015. Photo / Facebook

In March 2019, one woman commented on a photo of the five Baxters: "Absolutely gorgeous Han, you look stunning, what a good-looking family x."

Just over a year ago, Hannah Baxter posted a video of her two daughters – then aged 3 and 5 – doing a workout on the rower machines, running, lifting weights and doing handstands.

"These little weapons!" she wrote.

She said Aaliyah's "biggest idol" was Australian Olympic weightlifter and three-time "Fittest Woman on Earth" Tia-Clair Toomey.

"(Aaliyah) was even late for prep last year watching Tia win the CrossFit Games (her teacher had no idea what she was talking about)," Hannah Baxter wrote.

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"Her determination blows me away. Row and I have never once forced them to join in but I guess being surrounded by it every day it's rubbed off."

She had also previously posted about entering Australasia's "Fittest Mum" title and wanting to attend the finals in New Zealand in February last year, with a fundraiser set up by Rowan Baxter.

Hannah Baxter's three children. Photo / Facebook
Hannah Baxter's three children. Photo / Facebook

Police were called to the street in Brisbane's east about 8.30am on Wednesday.

"On arrival, police and emergency services have identified five people that were involved in the fire inside the vehicle. I can confirm that we have three deceased children under the age of 10 in the vehicle," Detective Inspector Mark Thompson told reporters at the scene.

"We have another deceased adult male who was known to the children, and we also have a victim suffering extensive injuries that are also known to the children and the adult male."

One resident told The Australian that another witness saw a woman, believed to be Hannah Baxter, jump from the burning car and yell, "He's poured petrol on me."

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He said Hannah Baxter was "rolling on the footpath in flames".

According to Hannah Baxter's Facebook, the couple married in October 2012.

"Happy Anniversary to my partner in crime xo love you always & eternally," Rowan Baxter said in a Facebook post three years later, showing a beaming Ms Baxter in their wedding photos.

That same day in 2015, Hannah Baxter shared an image of her husband lifting her into the air, forming a heart with her hands.

"What other way would we want to spend our Wedding Anniversary, than by doing a workout together," she wrote.

"Some couples buy gifts or go out to dinner … (Rowan) & I train together."

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Rowan and Hannah Baxter in 2015. Photo / Facebook
Rowan and Hannah Baxter in 2015. Photo / Facebook

She finished it with hashtags including #trueloverightthere, #partnerincrime, #soulmate, #bestfriend and #babydaddy.

Nine reported on Wednesday night that Ms Baxter and her three children had been staying with her parents in Camp Hill.

Mr and Ms Baxter had reportedly separated late last year.

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.

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• 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

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www.womensrefuge.org.nz

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

www.2shine.org.nz

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

www.areyouok.org.nz

• 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:

www.justice.govt.nz/family-justice/domestic-violence

• National Network of Stopping Violence:

www.nnsvs.org.nz

• 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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www.whiteribbon.org.nz

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