The senseless and horrific murders have seen calls reiterated for urgent action on family and domestic violence in Australia.
Hannah sustained severe burns in the deliberately lit car fire and was pulled, still alive, from the driver’s seat of her family car on Wednesday morning after it was engulfed in flames in a quiet Brisbane street. Hannah’s children, Aaliyah (6), Laianah (4), and Trey (3) died at the scene.
I wish I had more to say for #HannahBaxter. Thoughts and prayers just don’t cut it. I hope her murder and the murder of her three children may finally prompt a reaction to throw everything we have at ending the scourge of family violence we see every single week in Australia. pic.twitter.com/RB1GlkaQ2u
— Dr Kirstin Ferguson (@kirstinferguson) February 19, 2020
One witness to the fire said Hannah had run from the family car screaming “He’s poured petrol on me.”
It has been reported that Hannah’s estranged husband deliberately poured petrol on the family car, in what is being treated as a domestic violence incident.
He died at the scene from self-inflicted wounds.
Destroy The Joint is reporting this morning that Hannah is the eighth woman this year to die due to violence against women. Sixty one women were killed in Australia in 2019.
Messages reportedly to be from family members on Facebook have noted a desire to use Hannah’s maiden name Clarke.
10 Daily reports that a man believed to be her brother has shared on Facebook that women and children “should never have to suffer what they had to”.
“My family has been torn apart as I am sure a lot of people who knew these amazing kids and my beautiful sister are. My sister Hannah Clarke/ Baxter always tried her best to bring joy to all those around her and only ever wanted the best for her kids.”
My heart is broken. The horror of three divine innocent little children & their mum being killed in broad daylight is unfathomable. Their family & friends are in my thoughts. May they rest in peace.
— Georgie Dent (@georgiedent) February 19, 2020
I want to do say good morning beautiful peoples but I can’t find the right words today. The death of #HannahBaxter and her beautiful children at the hands of the man who should’ve loved and protected them has numbed me, as it has most of the nation. I send love today. ♥️
— 💧Prof Anita Heiss (@AnitaHeiss) February 19, 2020
Check in on your ‘strong’ friends today. The devastating news re: #HannahBaxter and her children will have triggered many Domestic Violence survivors into nightmares & panic attacks over night. You can leave DV, but its hard for experiences of DV to ever actually leave you.
— Amy Thunig (@AmyThunig) February 19, 2020
Hannah’s sister-in-law, Stacey Roberts, has begun an online fundraising page for funeral costs. She described Hannah as a “beautiful soul”.
“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,” she wrote on the Facebook fundraising page.
“Gorgeous happy kids who held a massive piece in my heart and I’m sure many others cause that’s exactly what they were like.”
“We need your help to support her parents, Sue and Lloyd who have exhausted themselves to try and help Hannah escape this monster.”
There’s a growing memorial at the corner of Raven St in Camp Hill. A fundraiser has also been set up to help pay for funeral costs for Hannah and her 3 beautiful kids @10NewsFirstQLD pic.twitter.com/KmRwMdGfFs
— Georgina Hill (@GeorgiHill10) February 19, 2020
This is heartbreaking. Family violence continues to be a national emergency. Our leaders must act now. The media framing of this has been predictably disappointing. We must do better.#HannahBaxter #familyviolence #leadership https://t.co/PP2HUnBJVp
— Women’s Electoral Lobby, AU (@welaust) February 20, 2020
#HannahBaxter Laianah, Aaliyah & Trey. Condolences to your family & friends. Another heart-breaking story of #familyviolence. I know people want change, people are angry & sad today. How long before we stop this slaughter in our suburbs? #EVAW This is a #nationalemergency. https://t.co/qbEBdHtPNL
— Natasha Stott Despoja (@NStottDespoja) February 19, 2020
Support is available for those who may be distressed by phoning Lifeline 13 11 14; Mensline 1300 789 978; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636.
If you or someone you know is impacted by family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au
In an emergency, call 000.