Psych’s ‘glowing’ letter for killer written just days before ‘death note’

A psychologist who treated Rowan Baxter has been lambasted over her dealings with the killer, for whom she wrote a “glowing endorsement” just days before he began penning a “death note”.

A psychologist who treated the man who murdered his estranged wife Hannah Clarke and their children has been lambasted over her dealings with the killer, for whom she wrote a “glowing endorsement” days before he began penning a “death note”.

The Brisbane Coroners Court on Wednesday heard psychologist Vivian Jarrett failed to comply with police search warrants, altered her notes the day after the murders and failed to identify red flags in her case notes.

It can be revealed Ms Jarrett has previously been reprimanded by the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal for failing to maintain professional boundaries, and has admitted to allegations of poor record-keeping.

Ms Jarrett, who treated killer Rowan Baxter for six sessions, gave evidence at an inquest into the deaths of Hannah Clarke and their three children Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey on Wednesday.

Counsel assisting the coroner, Jacoba Brasch QC, took Ms Jarrett to task over her failure to hand over all her paperwork to police when served with a search warrant after Baxter murdered his family.

Killer Rowan Baxter.

The inquest heard Ms Jarrett compiled a “score” at the end of each session and only compiled a score for one session on Wednesday morning ahead of her evidence – two years after the session.

Dr Brasch said Ms Jarrett had written a “glowing letter” for Baxter four weeks before he murdered his family where she described him as doing “remarkably well” despite his wife leaving him and saying she had “no concerns” for his mental health.

“Mr Baxter has been distressed over his wife leaving him suddenly, but has been coping remarkably well considering,” Dr Brasch read from the letter.

Dr Brasch asked why Ms Jarrett would write such a ­letter given her admission ­before the inquest that Baxter was likely using her for “image management” and to get favourable evidence for family court proceedings.

Psychologist Vivian Jarrett leaving the Hannah Clarke inquest on Wednesday. Picture: Liam Kidston.

The court heard the letter ­finished with: “All seems in order for him to regain contact (with his children).

Dr Brasch said: “(You didn’t) actually think through what you’re committing to writing there.”

Ms Jarrett said: “I am aware there is a domestic ­violence order in play … I’m aware that I’m not the only person involved in this.”

Dr Brasch interrupted: “Ma’am, you’re the only ­person writing this letter. The opinions you’ve reached there are formed on what this bloke has told you … on his say so, even though you’ve got all the concerns you’ve given under oath before.”

Ms Jarrett said: “At that point in time, that is what I was thinking.”

Dr Brasch said: “A mere five days after – can I call it a glowing endorsement of this man … he started penning what we can call a death note.”

The inquest continues.