The family of Hannah Clarke, the woman who died in a car fire that also claimed the lives of her three children, labelled her estranged husband a heartless monster. Police have now revealed they knew she was a victim of domestic violence.
On a quiet residential street in the Brisbane suburb of Camp Hill, a growing memorial of flowers and messages mark the scene of a crime which shocked the nation.
Hannah Clarke was on the school run with her children, aged three, four and six, when her estranged husband Rowan Baxter allegedly doused the family in petrol.
The three children died inside the car.
Their 31-year-old mother managed to get out but died last night in hospital from horrific burns.
Mr Baxter, a 42-year-old former rugby league player and fitness instructor, died from self-inflicted injuries at the scene.
Ms Clarke’s brother took to social media to express his grief and anger writing: 'Rest in peace you beautiful souls. Yesterday I had my sister, nephew and two nieces taken from me in the worst way possible, by a heartless monster they called their dad."
Words of support and sorrow flowed in from across the country, Prime Minister Scott Morrison expressing his condolences.
The incident has shocked anti-domestic violence campaigners, including C-E-O of Queensland Women's Legal Service, Angela Lynch.
