‘We feel so guilty’: Relatives of dad who murdered his wife and kids break their silence
Two family members of a Brisbane father who killed his estranged wife and their three kids have returned to the scene of the horrific deaths.
Rowan Baxter killed his estranged wife Hannah Clarke and her three kids Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4, and Trey, 3, on Wednesday morning in Camp Hill.
Ms Clarke had her three kids in the car when it’s believed Baxter doused them in fuel and set the family alight. Baxter then died from self-inflicted injuries.
The Australian visited the scene of the crime on Saturday and spoke to two people claiming to be relatives of Baxter.
“We’re related to Rowan,” a man told the paper.
“We feel so guilty, just knowing him.”
‘The look of hurt’
It’s not known why Baxter attacked his family but his actions are being treated as murder.
Neighbour Aaron Snell told The Courier-Mail Baxter protested as members of the community tried to save the kids from the burning car.
Resident Andrew Sinclair also told the publication he watched as Ms Clarke exited the car.
“She was looking directly at me, just staring,” Mr Sinclair told the paper.
“The look of hurt looking straight at me, and seeing her clothing being burnt with her skin coming off her body, it was an awful thing to see.”
Baxter ‘was evil’
A source told the ABC Baxter had previously refused to sign a consent form from his lawyer during mediation allowing him 165 days of custody of the three children. The custody offer came from Ms Clarke.
However, Baxter turned the offer down in favour of a different arrangement. This arrangement was disregarded after an amended domestic violence order was placed against Baxter for allegedly assaulting Ms Clarke.
The source claimed Baxter “couldn’t move past” his relationship with Ms Clarke.
“It was his way or nothing,” the source told the ABC.
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Baxter has been described as controlling and manipulative by Ms Clarke’s family.
Suzanne, Ms Clarke’s mum, told A Current Affair on Friday throughout the couple’s relationship “it was Rowan’s way or the highway”.
"He was evil,” she told the program.
Ms Clarke's brother Nathaniel said his sister had confided in him, saying it seemed Baxter couldn't handle the success of his partner.
"He was a very jealous and spiteful person," he said.
"He managed to drive a wedge between us… It was just all manipulated.”
- with AAP
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