Murder victims Hannah Baxter (nee Clarke) and her children Trey, 3, Laianah, 4, and Aaliyah, 6. Photo / Facebook
Murder victims Hannah Baxter (nee Clarke) and her children Trey, 3, Laianah, 4, and Aaliyah, 6. Photo / Facebook
A day after three children were found dead - and their mother burning on the street - in a horrific act of domestic violence at the hand of their father and her estranged husband, the public is rallying hard to raise funds to pay for their funerals.
It hasbeen just a little over 24 hours since explosions were heard in an Australian suburban street, in Brisbane, and neighbours were met with a grisly sight - a car engulfed in flames and a woman doused in petrol and set alight.
Sisters Aaliyah, 6, and Laianah, 4, and their 3-year-old brother Trey would be found dead in the scorched vehicle which had been set alight by their father.
Their mum, Hannah Baxter, would succumb to her severe injuries hours later. She was 31.
Her estranged husband and the father of her children, Rowan Baxter, 42, would be pronounced dead at the scene too; after witnesses reported seeing him stab himself.
Rowan Baxter with estranged wife Hannah and their three children, daughters Aaliyah, 6, and Laianah, 4, and son Trey, 3. Photo / Supplied
Hannah Baxter's family, the Clarkes, have since set up a fundraising page on Facebook to raise funds to help pay for funeral costs for their daughter and her children.
By 12.30pm (NZT), more than $50,000 had been raised by more than 1000 people who had donated anything starting from $30.
Sister-in-law Stacey Roberts posted a photo of the young mother and her three children smiling happily while lying in the shallows at a beach.
She is captured sharing a moment with her son, Trey, locking eyes as they smile at each other.
Roberts said in a post that Hannah Baxter's parents, Sue and Lloyd, had "exhausted themselves" trying to help her "escape this monster".
"As you may be aware, my beautiful sister-in-law and my nieces and nephew had their lives taken by a disgusting human being they called their father.
"For all those who knew Hannah, or had even just met her once, would know how much of a beautiful soul she was. Her children were her life.
"All she ever wanted was happiness. Her children were only a reflection of her - gorgeous happy kids who held a massive piece in my heart and I'm sure many others; [because] that's exactly what they were like.
"We will miss them all more than anything!"
EX-WARRIORS PLAYER
Rowan Baxter grew up in Tauranga. He is a former Warriors rugby league player and was officially part of the team in 2005, but never played a game.
Rugby league figure Sir Peter "the Mad Butcher" Leitch said he could not recall him, but acknowledged the horrific nature of the tragedy.
"It's terrible what's happened - there's no question," he told the Herald.
Queensland Police said investigations surrounding the events that unfolded yesterday are continuing.
Authorities did, however, make a point of including information for crisis phone lines for anyone who may be dealing with mental health-related issues.
"If you or anyone you know needs help, contact Lifeline ..."
