In February 2020, 31-year-old Hannah Clarke was driving her three young children to school in Brisbane, Australia, when her estranged husband, Rowan Baxter jumped into the car and doused them with petrol. Behind closed doors, Hannah had endured years of coercive control, intimidation, isolation, and abuse. She had done what so many victims are told to do: she left, sought help from police, obtained a protection order, and documented her fears. It wasn't enough. In this episode, we examine the warning signs leading up to the murders, the systemic failures that left Hannah and her children unprotected, and the reforms that followed. It's a heartbreaking case that forever changed the conversation about domestic violence in Australia.

Today's snack: Lamingtons

Support us on Patreon

Sources:

https://www.buzzfeed.com/lady_emerald/this-or-that-quiz This or that quiz
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/hannahs-story/id1687003092 Hannah’s Story Podcast on Apple
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6BbT3geVOTMQ7Adtj8UVG5 Hannah’s Story Podcast on Spotify
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzgaNFLu3T4&t=75s podcast with Sue & Lloyd Clarke
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/murder-suicide-case-nz-killer-rowan-baxters-ex-wife-hann
https://www.courts.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/723664/cif-hannah-clarke-aaliyah-baxter-laianah-baxter-trey-baxter-and-rowan-baxter.pdf
https://www.smallsteps4hannah.com.au/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://anzmh.asn.au/blog/the-inquest-into-the-murder-of-hannah-clarke-and-her-three-children
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/murder-suicide-case-nz-killer-rowan-baxters-ex-wife-hannah-clarke-called-her-dad-before-her-death/DVBXGMQVANBMJBJX62EGFLMKLM/
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/car-fire-murders-rowan-baxters-relatives-speak-out-about-his-upbringing/A3V5OZF5S4OY546JAXBYTP7LJM/
https://www.smh.com.au/national/queensland/police-did-not-fail-hannah-clarke-but-training-overhaul-needed-coroner-20220629-p5axjs.html
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/140-women-and-girls-on-average-were-killed-by-a-loved-one-every-day-last-year-un-finds
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/murder-of-hannah-clarke-and-kids-prompts-incredible-surge-in-men-seeking-to-stop-domestic-violence/ajkjeig48
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/350550739/son-of-killer-rowan-baxter-who-murdered-estranged-wife-hannah-three-children-suing-her-parents
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/australia/son-killer-kiwi-dad-suing-victims-parents
https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-8036307/Estranged-son-killer-Rowan-Baxter-shows-support-Hannah-Clarke.html
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-31/qld-hannah-clarke-inquest-murder-domestic-violence-victim-impact/100942190
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/nov/17/murders-hannah-clarke-and-children-shocked-australia-queensland-police-failures-text-messages-rowan-baxter
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/nov/16/hannah-clarke-children-murder-qld-queensland-police