EX-RUGBY player Rowan Baxter, killed his wife and young children before taking his own life in Australia. Baxter was allegedly distressed amid custody arrangements after separating from his wife. Who was rugby player Rowan Baxter? Originally from Tauranger, New Zealand, he was a member of the New Zealand Warriors team in 2005. He then worked […]
EX-RUGBY player Rowan Baxter, killed his wife and young children before taking his own life in Australia.
Baxter was allegedly distressed amid custody arrangements after separating from his wife.
Originally from Tauranger, New Zealand, he was a member of the New Zealand Warriors team in 2005.
He then worked as a fitness coach for the National Rugby League.
He also trained other players in fitness and technique for the sport.
Baxter then set up a business as a fitness trainer, running a fitness company, Integr8 with his wife.
His clients included current and former Brisbane Broncos rugby league players.
Hannah Baxter, 31, married Rowan in 2012 in New South Wales.
She was a trampoliner and gymnastic coach when the couple met.
The estranged couple had 3 children, Laianah, 6, Aaliyah, 4, and Trey, 3.
According to police, family services had previously supported her with domestic violence issues and she had been granted court orders.
After separating from Rowan, Hannah had moved to her parents house and the pair had been working towards a custody agreement.
Police were called to the suburb of Camp Hill at 08:30 local time on Wednesday, February, 19, 2020.
Upon arrival, they found the couple’s three children dead in the car while Hannah was burning on the ground beside it.
Witnesses told of how Hannah jumped out of the burning car screaming “he’s poured petrol on me” and begged them to “save” her children.
Locals described how they tried to save Hannah with water from a garden hose.
Local media reported Rowan had tried to prevent helpers, before grabbing a knife and stabbing himself to death.
There has been a massive outcry not only from Australia but around the world.
Also, scores of tributes have been paid to the victims with #HannahBaxter trending in Australia.
Hannah’s sister-in-law, Stacey Roberts said her children “were her life”.
Police have described the incident as “horrific” and “terrible”.
The news has also been met with anger as concerns have been raised for domestic violence against women.
According to the Australian Institute of Criminology, one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner in the country.
Australian MP Tanya Plibersek said there had been “too many women and too many children lost”.
Author, Clementine Ford tweeted “There are men abusing women and children all over Australia, from rich suburb to poor. Those women today are reading the news of #HannahBaxter and fearing it might be them next.
A campaign seeking funds towards the funerals of Hannah and her children has raised over $50,000 (£38,825).
