Hannah Clarke inquest: Video shows Rowan Baxter shopping at Bunnings two days before murders

Two days before Rowan Baxter would horrifically murder his estranged wife and their three kids, he was seen buying a fuel can and zip ties at the hardware store.

Video footage played in court has shown the moment Rowan Baxter purchased the tools and instruments he later used in the murder of Hannah Clarke and their three children.

At 6pm on February 17 2020, two days before the horrific murder, Baxter was filmed on CCTV purchasing zip ties, cleaning fluid and a fuel can from Bunnings.

Wearing a black graphic singlet, black shorts and sneakers, the man can be seen browsing the shelves before he goes to pay.

He is filmed with the zip ties and cleaning fluid in hand. Picture: Coroners Court of Queensland.

Baxter paying for his items. Picture: Coroners Court of Queensland.

On the morning of February 19, the 42-year-old is also filmed going into a Caltex petrol station, where he purchased 4.6 litres of fuel and three Kinder Surprises. This act took place before he went to Ms Clarke’s home in Camp Hill in Queensland.

While his estranged wife was about to commence the school run, Baxter forced himself into their car where he doused the vehicle in petrol and set it alight.

Although he and the three children died at the scene, Ms Clarke passed away in hospital later than night. Despite severe burns to 97 per cent of her body, she gave her testimony to police three times before her death.

The horrific deaths of Hannah Clarke and Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey shocked Australia. Picture: Supplied.

On Wednesday, the Coroner’s Court also heard the call Baxter made to a men’s helpline at 4.41pm on the day before the murders.

He told the responder he had been “put through the ringer” and spoke about the DVO Ms Clarke placed on him after he attempted to abduct their four-year-old daughter Laianah. Occurring on Boxing Day months before the incident, Baxter suddenly took Laianah after having a disagreement with Ms Clarke while on a public road.

Witnessing the argument, Julie-Ann Humphries said Baxter appeared to be “on a mission,” the ABC reports.

“The children were crying and screaming out, ‘no, stop’ and a man and a small child were walking very quickly towards a blue sedan,’’ Dr Humphries told the court.

“He entered the car with the child on his side … and as he was entering the car he unfortunately bumped her head on the way into the car.

“He started the car and drove off in quite a hurry.”

Under the condition of the order, Baxter was not allowed to have contact with Ms Clarke or their children. This was however breached in the weeks before the murder when he assaulted Ms Clarke.

Despite this, police at the time believed there was not enough evidence to support a charge of assault occasioning bodily harm, which is the more severe charge which carries a maximum penalty of seven years. Instead Baxter was charged with common assault and released on bail.

Originally published as Hannah Clarke inquest: Video shows Rowan Baxter shopping at Bunnings two days before murders