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Killer Rowan Baxter’s creepy stalker tactics: It ‘was weird’

Hannah Clarke was distraught to learn her estranged husband had made disturbing attempts to infiltrate her life weeks before he murdered her and their children.

Timeline of tragedy: Hannah Clarke suffered for years

Hannah Clarke was reportedly distraught to learn her estranged husband had sought a job at her new gym and taunted her about it before savagely murdering her and their three children.

Killer Rowan Baxter went for a job interview at CrossFit Brisbane about 24 hours after Ms Clarke’s first trial workout about three weeks ago, the Daily Mailreports.

Ms Clarke and her children Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4, and Trey, 3, were killed last week when Baxter doused them in petrol and set them alight in a car after ambushing them on the school run. He then took his own life.

CrossFit Brisbane owner Garath Davies told the Daily Mail that Baxter had applied to become the training centre’s sixth fitness instructor.

“Hannah had done her first trial session a day prior … I honestly didn’t know Hannah when I interviewed Rowan,” Mr Davies said.

“Oddly enough, when Rowan left the gym that day, he asked for a photo with me in front of the gym, which was weird. I thought it was weird but I went, OK, sure.

“He posted that photo to his social media saying that he was starting at CrossFit Brisbane, which was completely incorrect.

“I think his words were to the effect of ‘’looking forward to the opportunity’’, or something like that’.

“He basically assumed he had the job.”

Hannah Clarke was extremely fit and worked out often.
Hannah Clarke was extremely fit and worked out often.
She recently started at a new gym to escape Baxter.
She recently started at a new gym to escape Baxter.
Murderer Rowan Baxter with one of his children that he later killed.
Murderer Rowan Baxter with one of his children that he later killed.

Baxter hadn’t been offered the position but was trying to manipulate the mum-of-three into believing he had in another twisted attempt to terrorise her, Ms Clarke’s parents claimed.

One of Ms Clarke’s best friends, Lou Farmer, told the site that the domestic violence victim was “obviously very upset” to learn Baxter was trying to infiltrate the gym.

“When Han found out and told them he had a (domestic violence order) they rejected him,” Ms Farmer recalled.

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Hannah Clarke (left) was bridesmaid for friend Breanna Brown, who told news.com.au Hannah was ‘literally a super mum’.
Hannah Clarke (left) was bridesmaid for friend Breanna Brown, who told news.com.au Hannah was ‘literally a super mum’.
Hannah Clarke, (left) with her mother Suzanne Clarke, who ‘tried everything’ to save her daughter from Rowan Baxter.
Hannah Clarke, (left) with her mother Suzanne Clarke, who ‘tried everything’ to save her daughter from Rowan Baxter.
Hannah Clarke, Rowan Baxter and their three children Laianah, Aaliyah and Trey before she escaped him only to be murdered in a tragic car fire.
Hannah Clarke, Rowan Baxter and their three children Laianah, Aaliyah and Trey before she escaped him only to be murdered in a tragic car fire.

Baxter murdered his three children and his estranged wife when he jumped into their vehicle in a suburban Brisbane street and held a knife to Ms Clarke. When she tried to stop for help he poured accelerant, set it alight, jumped out and then took his own life at the scene.

The three children died in the car while Ms Clarke escaped the vehicle but died later in Royal Brisbane Hospital from her horrific burns.

Her family has revealed she endured an 11-year abusive relationship with Baxter, who she married in 2012, revealing he was a “control freak” and under a restraining order when he killed Ms Clarke and their children.

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RELATED: Photos hid terrifying reality before tragedy

Police at the horrific scene on Wednesday where Rowan Baxter killed his three children and set alight his wife Hannah Baxter Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen
Police at the horrific scene on Wednesday where Rowan Baxter killed his three children and set alight his wife Hannah Baxter Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Ms Clarke’s heartbroken brother Nat Clarke revealed eight years after the couple had become engaged, married and their romance had turned into a nightmare, his sister had made a hopeful escape from her husband.

“My mum and dad … have given every little thing they own to help my sister try and get away from this monster,” he wrote on Facebook.

Late last year, Ms Clarke left Baxter and their marital home, taking their three children to live at her mother, Suzanne Clarke’s house in the southeastern Brisbane suburb of Camp Hill. It was outside that home where Baxter ambushed the family and carried out the horrific murders just a few months later.

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/news/killer-rowan-baxters-creepy-stalker-tactics-it-was-weird/news-story/fc140dcaccaef1b98b8fc88c7a5bb4e8