This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-51565803

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Rowan Baxter: Outcry after family of ex-rugby player die in fire Hannah Baxter: Outcry after Australian mother and children 'senselessly murdered'
(about 5 hours later)
The deaths of three children and their mother in a car fire in the Australian city of Brisbane have sparked outrage, amid reports they were killed by the father, ex-rugby player Rowan Baxter. Australia is mourning the deaths of a mother and her three children who were "senselessly and maddeningly murdered" in a car fire, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said.
Mr Baxter's wife Hannah and their three children were killed by the blaze on Wednesday. He also died at the scene. Police are yet to confirm reports the father, ex-rugby player Rowan Baxter, set the car alight in Brisbane before stabbing himself to death.
Some Australian media say he doused the white SUV in petrol and set it alight before stabbing himself. His wife Hannah, 31, and their children were killed by the blaze on Wednesday.
But police say it is too early to be sure how the fire started. The case has sparked national outcry on violence against women and children.
"How the fire actually occurred has not been ascertained at the moment so for us to call it a murder-suicide or a tragic accident, it's inappropriate at this stage," Detective Inspector Mark Thompson said. "Australians all over the country are just shocked, saddened and devastated about what has happened in a suburban street," Mr Morrison told reporters on Thursday.
He went on to say that while he had seen "some horrific scenes" in his job, this was one of the worst. "Hannah and her three children [were] so senselessly and maddeningly murdered in what has occurred in a terrible act of violence," he said.
Queensland Police told the BBC the incident appeared to be a case of domestic violence. Earlier police had said it was too early to determine "how the fire actually occurred".
What do we know?What do we know?
Police were first called to the scene in the Camp Hill area in the east of Brisbane at 08:30 local time on Wednesday (21:30 GMT on Tuesday). Police were first called to the scene in the suburb of Camp Hill the city's east in at 08:30 local time on Wednesday (21:30 GMT on Tuesday).
They found the couple's three children Laianah, Aaliyah and Trey - aged between six and three - dead inside the car. They found the couple's three children - Laianah, 6, Aaliyah, 4, and Trey, 3- dead inside the car, and their mother burning on the ground beside it. Hannah Baxter, 31, died later in hospital from extensive burns.
Emergency crews tried to revive Rowan Baxter, 42, but he was declared dead. Witnesses told Australian media she had screamed "he's poured petrol on me" and "save my children" when helpers rushed to the site.
Australian media report that he was found close to the car with a self-inflicted stab wound. They said Mr Baxter, 42, had attempted to stop helpers intervening, before grabbing a knife from the car and stabbing himself to death. Emergency responders were unable to revive him when they arrived at the scene.
His wife, Hannah Baxter, aged 31, died later in hospital from extensive burns. She had reportedly jumped from the car yelling: "He's poured petrol on me." Mrs Baxter had been driving the car at the time of the incident, police said.
Rowan Baxter had been in the front passenger seat and his wife had been driving the car, police said. What do we know about the victims?
The pair had reportedly separated late last year, and were trying to work out custody arrangements. Mrs Baxter had moved to her parents' home in Camp Hill with the children late last year after separating from her husband. The two had been working out custody arrangements.
Paramedics said they had also treated a passerby, who had "tried his best to get to the car". He had suffered some "facial burning" and also been taken to hospital, a Queensland Ambulance spokesman said. "She loved them so fiercely and she was doing everything she could to protect them," her friend Caitlin Langford told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Rowan Baxter formerly played for the New Zealand Warriors rugby league team in Auckland and had also been running a gym called Integr8 with his wife in Capalaba to the east of Brisbane. An online fundraiser started by a relative for the funeral costs said Mrs Baxter's parents had "exhausted themselves to try and help Hannah escape this monster".
The gym's website describes her as "an enthusiastic, passionate mother of three" and a trampolining champion who represented Queensland for four consecutive years and also achieved international medals. "For all those who knew Hannah, or had even just met her once, [you] would know how much of a beautiful soul she was, her children were her life," said Mrs Baxter's sister-in-law Stacey Roberts.
Rowan Baxter formerly played for the New Zealand Warriors rugby league team in Auckland. In recent years, he had run a gym with his wife in Capalaba to the east of Brisbane.
The gym's website describes Hannah Baxter as "an enthusiastic, passionate mother of three" and as a state trampolining champion who had won international medals.
What has the reaction been?What has the reaction been?
Unconfirmed reports that Mr Baxter killed his family have been met with widespread condemnation online. The hashtag #HannahBaxter has been trending on Twitter in Australia. Tributes have poured in for the victims, with #HannahBaxter a top trend on Twitter in Australia. Reports that Mr Baxter killed his family have sparked widespread anger and despair, amid ongoing concern about violence against women in the nation.
Former Olympic cyclist Tracy Gaudry said: "#HannahBaxter and her three young children died today in the most despicable way. They should have been safe. Mourning for lives lost, thoughts with family, friends and community."Former Olympic cyclist Tracy Gaudry said: "#HannahBaxter and her three young children died today in the most despicable way. They should have been safe. Mourning for lives lost, thoughts with family, friends and community."
"Another week, another man annihilates his wife and family. Australia, we need to talk," said Australian poet Rob Scott."Another week, another man annihilates his wife and family. Australia, we need to talk," said Australian poet Rob Scott.
The deaths come amid anger over several recent high profile murders and a debate over domestic violence in Australia. The case is just the latest of several high profile murder cases where women and children have been the victims.
On average, one woman per week is murdered in Australia by a current or former male partner, according to Australia's Bureau of Statistics. Last July, a Perth man was jailed to life for murdering his wife, three children and their grandmother in their home in 2018.
Many people criticised media outlets for failing to name Mr Baxter as a murderer. On average, one woman per week is murdered in Australia by a current or former male partner, according to the the nation's Bureau of Statistics.
The reporting of the incident has also come under scrutiny from people on social media.
"Rowan Baxter set fire to his own wife and kids - but you wouldn't know that from a lot of media headlines," said columnist Arwa Mahdawi on Twitter."Rowan Baxter set fire to his own wife and kids - but you wouldn't know that from a lot of media headlines," said columnist Arwa Mahdawi on Twitter.
However, police say they are still investigating what happened. Officers have been searching the Baxter family home in Camp Hill. Police have said they are still investigating the circumstances. An official update is expected on Thursday.
Queensland's Police Minister Mark Ryan told parliament about the "horrific incident" in Brisbane on Wednesday, saying: "My thoughts are with all of those affected by this terrible tragedy."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his "heart goes out to the families and community going through this tragic time and the emergency responders confronting what would be a shattering scene".
Federal MP Terri Butler said she was "horrified and devastated" by the incident.
If you or someone you know needs support for issues about domestic abuse, in Australia you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. In the UK these organisations may be able to help.If you or someone you know needs support for issues about domestic abuse, in Australia you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. In the UK these organisations may be able to help.