Former Rugby Player Commits Tragic Murder-Suicide in Australia

A tragic event unfolded on February 19, 2020, when former New Zealand rugby player Rowan Baxter allegedly killed his three children before taking his own life. The horrifying incident occurred in Australia, where Baxter’s estranged wife, Hannah Baxter, had recently attempted to escape an abusive relationship marked by severe control and manipulation.

Hannah, 31, had endured years of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her husband. Friends described a harrowing environment, where Rowan dictated her clothing choices, isolated her from family, and subjected her to intimidation. After an alarming encounter involving their six-year-old daughter, Aaliyah, Hannah decided to take action. Aaliyah had bravely stood up to her father during a school pickup, prompting Hannah to seek safety for herself and her children.

In the days leading up to the incident, Hannah moved in with her parents and secured a restraining order against Rowan due to his threatening behavior. Despite these measures, Rowan’s desire for control over his family remained evident, leading to a tragic confrontation.

On that fateful day, just after Hannah’s mother left for work, Hannah prepared to drive away with her children—Aaliyah, Laianah (four), and Trey (three). Rowan suddenly entered the car, armed with a petrol canister. In a terrifying moment, he doused Hannah in petrol while she screamed for help. Desperate, she steered the vehicle towards a neighbor’s home, pleading for assistance.

“Call the police, he’s going to kill me. He’s poured petrol on me,”

she shouted, as Rowan struggled to restrain her. Within moments, the car was engulfed in flames, and a neighbor rushed to help. Hannah managed to escape the vehicle, but her three children remained trapped inside.

While attempting to save them, the flames intensified, resulting in a catastrophic explosion. Rowan also managed to exit the car, but the situation escalated as he inflicted harm upon himself with a knife. Witnesses described the chaos as Hannah, despite suffering severe burns, continued to plead for her children’s lives.

In a heart-wrenching moment, she expressed her wish for Rowan to be imprisoned, saying,

“I hope he survives and rots in jail for the rest of his life,”

as she faced the dire consequences of the tragic event. Hannah was transported to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in critical condition but succumbed to her injuries later that day at 17:30.

The inquest into the incident revealed that the bodies of Aaliyah, Laianah, and Trey were found in the vehicle, severely burned and unable to be identified visually. The inquiry highlighted the profound tragedy of a family torn apart by domestic violence, leaving a community in mourning.

This devastating incident underscores the urgent need for increased awareness and intervention in cases of domestic abuse. Rowan Baxter’s actions have irrevocably changed the lives of many, serving as a somber reminder of the potential consequences of unchecked control and violence within families.