Police searched the bins at the Baxter home in Carindale. Photo / News Corp Australia
Police searched the bins at the Baxter home in Carindale. Photo / News Corp Australia
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
Queensland Police have scoured the former home of a young Brisbane family killed in a horrific car fire on Wednesday, hoping to piece together what may have triggered the murderous rampage.
Forty-two-year-old former Warrior Rowan Baxter and his three children, Laianah, Aaliyah and Trey, all died when the vehicle went up in flames on Raven Street in Camp Hill at about 8.30am on Wednesday.
Witnesses have described seeing Hannah Baxter jump from the burning car and yell, "He's poured petrol on me".
Police cordon off the family home. Photo / News Corp Australia
Rowan Baxter reportedly stabbed himself in the chest at the scene and tried to stop bystanders from attempting to save his wife.
Later in the day, officers could be seen cordoning off the family's brick rental property in Carindale – a leafy suburb popular with young families – and searching for evidence of what happened in the lead-up to the incident.
Kids and adult shoes at the front door. Photo / News Corp Australia
One officer was pictured checking inside the family's garbage and recycling bins.
It is understood police are now looking at whether Rowan Baxter suffered a mental breakdown in the lead-up to Wednesday's ordeal, according to The Courier Mail.
A neighbour told the paper the Baxters had lived at the house for two years before Rowan and Hannah separated.
Hannah Baxter had then taken the children to her parents home in Camp Hill, where they had been staying.
Photos of the property in Carindale showed traces of family life. Kids' jandals and sneakers laid next to the front door, while toys, including a pink scooter and discarded doll, were strewn across the backyard.
Faded washing hanging on the clothesline in the backyard. Photo / News Corp Australia
The Courier Mail reported Mr Baxter had reportedly become reclusive since separating from his wife.
Faded washing, including clothes, towels and sheets, could be seen hanging on his clothesline, while the garage door was found wide open.
Police sources said detectives would be scouring the home, as well as Rowan Baxter's social media pages and messages, for evidence as to what triggered the tragedy.
Photos and videos posted online appeared to show a picture-perfect wedding and family life.
Tributes are now flowing for the "super mum" and her children, as the local community comes to terms with the tragedy.
"It's horrific and so unimaginably sad that innocent lives lost have been lost like this," the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Adrian Schrinner, said in a post on Facebook.
Where to get help: • Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7) • Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7) • Youth services: (06) 3555 906 • Youthline: 0800 376 633 • Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7) • Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm) • Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7) • Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155 • CASPER Suicide Prevention If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
