On Wednesday, Hannah Clarke and her three children set off on their school run.
Within 12 hours, they were all dead at the hands of her estranged husband.
Clarke died in hospital on Wednesday night after suffering “horrific” burns when she and her three children were doused in petrol by the children’s father, Rowan Baxter.
Her children - Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4 and Trey, 3 - died in the car after it burst into flames on a quiet suburban street in Camp Hill in Brisbane’s east on Wednesday.
Baxter died on the footpath from self-inflicted wounds, police say.
In the wake of the unfathomable tragedy, her family has described him as “disgusting human being” and a “monster” who tormented the doting mum who had tried to escape her eventual killer.
Clarke’s sister-in-law, Stacey Roberts, says Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey were a “reflection of their mother” - gorgeous, happy kids.
“(They) held a massive piece in my heart and I’m sure many others,” Roberts said.
“No words can describe what everyone is going through.
‘She loved her kids more than anything.’
“She was one of the most beautiful people you would ever know... just the happiest, bubbliest person.
“She loved her kids more than anything.”
She says Clarke’s parents, Sue and Lloyd, “exhausted themselves” to try to help their daughter escape the “monster”, Baxter.
Roberts has launched a fundraiser for the Clarke family, which has already raised more than $50,000 toward funeral costs.
Hannah’s brother, Nat Clarke, posted a tribute to his sister and her children on Facebook.
“R.i.p you beautiful souls,” Clarke wrote.
“I had my sister, nephew and 2 nieces taken from me in the worst way possible... I will forever love you all”.
Mourners have visited the street which became the scene of the horror, creating a makeshift memorial of flowers and toys.
‘Reach out’
Friend Dave Kramer, who described Clarke and the kids as his second family, has told of the “unbearable nightmare” of the “gutless” attack.
“Hannah was an amazing woman and she was a pillar of strength to so many others,” he said in a tribute on Facebook.
“If she even sensed that someone was a little down, she’d know exactly how to brighten up their day with her one of a kind voice and big smile.
“She cared for everyone and loved those beautiful children more than anything, and she deserved so much better than this.”
In a statement, Kramer begged for those, like Baxter, who “clearly needed help” to reach out and prevent tragedies like this from happening again.
‘This is unforgivable. What are we not already doing to stop this from happening again?‘
“I feel so guilty for caring for you because of what you have done, but I know that somehow and some way, this was preventable and you needed help,” he said.
“This is unforgivable, you have broken the hearts of so many, including mine, and through all of this I can’t stop asking myself, what are we not already doing to stop this from happening again?”
‘She fought so hard’
Friend Simon Farmer said: “We can’t remember him as a loving father because his final act is what defines this man, this man who became a monster.
“His legacy is one of misery and pain.”
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Farmer said Clarke’s parents had done everything they could to help the “brave” mum in her attempts to leave.
“You should all know how strong she was, she fought so hard,” he said.
“I am a father just like (Clarke’s dad) and pledge that I will raise my sons to be strong men like him.”
“We are too late to save Hannah and the kids, we aren’t too late to ensure our sons grow up to be good strong men, not weak cowards who take the easy way out.”
If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
Source : https://7news.com.au/news/qld/tributes-flow-for-loving-brisbane-mum-who-attempted-to-escape-her-familys-killer-c-707296
