This post deals with domestic violence and might be triggering for some readers. If you or someone you know is impacted by domestic violence, call 1800RESPECTon 1800 737 732. In an emergency, call 000.
“I’m so excited, this year will be great.”
Those were the last words Hannah Clarke said to her sister-in-law, Stacey Roberts.
At 31 years old, Hannah Clarke was a business owner, a gold-medal trampolining champion and a gymnastics coach for kids, specialising in “Mums n’ bubs” classes.
She was also the loving mother to her three children: Lainah, six years old, Aaliyah, 4, and Trey, 3.
Hannah was “excited” for the year ahead, because she had separated from her abusive husband in December of last year.
But before Hannah Clarke got her chance for a fresh start, she was murdered.
On Wednesday morning, Hannah was doing her routine school run when her estranged 42-year-old husband doused her car in petrol, causing it to burst into flames. On the quiet street of the affluent Camp Hill suburb, in Brisbane's east, Hannah's three children perished at the hands of their father.
Hannah had burns covering 97 per cent of her body, and died a few hours later in hospital. The killer died from self-inflicted wounds on the pathway.
Speaking to Sunrise on Monday morning, Hannah's best friends, Nikki Brooks and Lou Farmer, spoke of their favourite memories of Hannah.
Nikki remembers the moment Hannah left her abusive marriage.
"It was the day she left him, we came back to my place and the kids played all afternoon and just laughed and had such a great day," Nikki told the morning show.
"When they went to bed we got drunk on margaritas and we toasted to a fresh start."
"She was just the most amazing mum," Lou added.
"She lived for her kids, she was hilarious, we laughed so hard...she did everything for those kids and they absolutely adored her.
"She was the best mum in the world."
They hope the death of Hannah and her three children will incite change, saying: "We can’t let their faces fade...not another family, not another tragedy."
Watch: The hidden numbers in women and violence. Post continues below.
On Sunday, at a park in south Brisbane, more than a 1000 people turned out to mourn the horrific loss of Hannah Clarke and her three kids to the epidemic of domestic violence.
"She was the most beautiful, loyal, passionate, brave, loving woman and mother I know," her best friend Lou also said at the vigil.
"Hannah carried the weight of the world on her shoulders and you never knew it, her strength was only matched by her wicked sense of humour."
At the vigil, it was revealed that Hannah had plans to become a police officer.
"I have no doubt that Hannah would have made an incredible police officer," Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said.
"Right through to her passing Hannah showed amazing courage and heroism, ensuring she gave emergency services at the scene a detailed statement of the horrific events that unfolded."
An Instagram post made by Hannah prior to her death tells of her self-determination.
"I am a strong woman, I don't sit around feeling sorry for myself, nor will I ever let anyone mistreat me again," she wrote on Instagram.
"I don't respond to people who dictate to me or try to bring me down. I am a survivor, not a victim. I am in control of my life and there is nothing I can't achieve."
Hannah’s parents, Lloyd and Suzanne Clarke, and her brother, Nathaniel, also gave an interview to A Current Affair on Friday night.
They spoke of Hannah's final moments and her courage in giving a detailed report to the medical staff on scene.
"To the end she fought to make sure if he [Baxter] survived he got punished for doing that to her babies. She was so brave," her mother, Suzanne Clarke, said.
"I think she passed out after that. She made sure she got out as much information as possible."
The family then held up what they were able to save from Hannah after she passed: a footprint.
"My sister was so badly burnt that the only thing they could do for memorabilia of her was a footprint," Nathaniel tearfully said.
"So we are wanting the symbol of her foot somehow to be a symbol for her and her legacy."
As her best friend Lou said, "We can’t let their faces fade."
If this post brings up any issues for you, or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, please call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. It doesn’t matter where you live, they will take your call and, if need be, refer you to a service closer to home.
Feature Image: Facebook.
Read more:
- 'To my beautiful friend Hannah Clarke: I’m sorry I couldn’t do more for you.'
- Some are asking what 'drove' Rowan Baxter to murder his family. As if he was only a passenger.
- 'I told my mate Troy about the fights I was having with my girlfriend. He was furious with me.'
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