Camp Hill car fire: Tributes flow for mum ‘so incredibly full of laughter’
Flanked by the family’s beloved pet dog, members of Hannah Baxter’s gym have paid their tributes at the makeshift memorial to her and her children following Wednesday’s tragic deaths. Online tributes and donations continue to pour in he wake of the unspeakable incident.
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IN EMOTIONAL scenes, members of Hannah Baxter’s Integr8 gym paid their respects at the scene of the horrific murder-suicide flanked by the family dog Savannah.
How the unspeakable tragedy on a quiet Camp Hill street unfolded
Killer dad Rowan Baxter was leading a reclusive life since separating from wife
Camp Hill horror: Dad’s shocking last video
Hannah Baxter dies in hospital from burns suffered in horrific Camp Hill attack
About 30 people stood in silence before one member said a few words.
“We love you, we miss you,” the man said.
“Rest In Peace Hannah, we love you”.
Another mourner said: “she was just a wonderful person”.
A family friend told The Courier-Mail Hannah “would be missed.”
“It’s just heartbreaking that’s all I can say,” he said.
Earlier, a family friend of the Baxter family burst into tears at the memorial to the slain family.
Hunched over the vigil in the hot sun, Korri Loader wailed into her hands.
“She was the best woman on the planet, there’s not much more you can really say,” Ms Loader said.
“She’s the definition of love. When it comes to family, it’s not just her family that has crashed, it’s the entire trampolining community, Gymnastics Australia, everyone that grew up with her, I just can’t put it into words.”
Ms Loader said she grew up with Hannah in Brisbane’s east. The pair had been friends since the age of 7.
“It doesn’t feel real. It doesn’t feel like it’s her,” Ms Loader said.
Social media has flooded with tributes for a Brisbane mother “so incredibly full of life, energy and laughter” who was horrifically killed in a car fire lit by her estranged husband yesterday.
Hannah Baxter, 31, succumbed to significant burns and died in hospital last night, just hours after her three children were declared dead on Raven St in Camp Hill.
So You Think You Can Dance 2008 winner Jack Chambers, who was co-captain at Whites Hill State College with Hannah, posted a moving tribute on Facebook this morning.
“Such heartbreaking news yesterday. A monstrous crime that makes you sick to your stomach!!! Hannah and I were school captains back in our last year of school, 15 yrs ago. That would be the last time I had actually seen or spoken to Hannah Clarke - so while I didn’t know her in our adult life, I will always remember her as the kind, strong and driven teenager she was. If you want to show your support to the Clarke family, you can donate below,” he posted.
Hannah’s sister-in-law, Stacey Roberts, last night set up a fundraising page for funeral costs and to support Hannah’s parents, Sue and Lloyd Clarke, who she said “have exhausted themselves to try and help Hannah escape this monster”.
As of 5.30pm on Thursday, the page had raised more than $104,000.
“As you may be aware my beautiful sister-in-law and my nieces and nephew had their lives taken by a disgusting human being they called their father,” she wrote.
“For all those who knew Hannah or had even just met her once would know how much of a beautiful soul she was, her children were her life.
“All she ever wanted was happiness. Her children were only a reflection of her. Gorgeous happy kids who held a massive piece in my heart.”
Fellow Belmont State School mum Jess Walker said visiting the school “will never be the same” without Hannah’s beaming smile.
The woman who served Hannah Baxter her last coffee just hours before she was murdered said it didn’t seem real.
Local barista Helen came to the the scene of the crime this morning with other staff to pay their respects.
“I’m glad we got to say goodbye to her,” she told The Courier-Mail.
“It doesn’t feel real, I still feel like she’s going to come in with her kids screaming ‘Hi Helen’. She was so bubbly.”
Hannah frequented the cafe daily and had spoken to Helen about her fears of estranged husband Rowan.
“Before I knew it was him in the car I had a gut feeling it was that,” she said.
“She was (scared of him).
“It’s very tragic what happened, it’s just really hard.”
Scores of people continue to arrive at memorial of flowers for Hannah and her children.
Community outreach services are also on the scene to speak to people grieving.
Chaplain Watch chaplain Angie Brown said a steady stream of people had been coming since yesterday afternoon.
“For a lot of them it’s very much hitting close to home, either they live locally or have experienced domestic violence,” she said.
“A lot of people are saying ‘it could have been me’”.
“Our girls were besties from day one of prep....and she will always hold Aaliyah in her heart forever,” she wrote online.
“I’m shocked, numb, saddened and angry. Most of all though I am relieved that you are now with your babies in heaven.”
Chantel Taylor and her two year old Henley visited Raven Street today.
Chantel went to primary school with Hannah Baxter, and has known her since she was 12.
Ms Taylor dropped off flowers and three plush monkeys, one for each of the kids.
She left a note.
“Dearest Hannah, My heart breaks over and over for you, I hope now you can rest in piece with your three beautiful angels, Fly high babe.”
Samantha Tone, who knew Hannah, Rowan and their children through weightlifting said Hannah was a “super mum”.
“We spoke two weeks ago, she always made contact with me she was such a beautiful soul,” she told The Courier-Mail.
“It’s really hard for me to digest that Rowan would do such a thing.”
Jaqui Drew she grieves for the Clarke family “who are left to carry the burden of this absolutely indescribable tragedy”.
“I’ll always remember Han as so incredibly full of life, energy, and laughter. A gorgeous soul that brought light to every room,” she said.
Dora De Laat, who said her children when to school with Hannah said she “couldn’t imagine what life would be like” for the family after their loss.
Another commenter on Facebook, Sascha Rouillon, paid tribute to the people who came to Hannah’s aid.
“My thoughts for everyone involved - from family to friends to emergency workers and heroic bystanders who tried to help… let Hannah’s legacy be a network of loving support.”
Another school friend, Leona Jones, sent a message of support to the Clarke family.
“Hannah and I used to sit in swimming lessons together while Trey crawled around our feet,” she said in a comment on the fundraising page.
“The school community is sharing in your pain and has you all in our thoughts.”
Martin Dela Cruz called Hannah “a lovely and inspiring woman,” saying she had “no words” after the tragedy.
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