Hannah and Rowan Baxter on their wedding day. Photo / Facebook
Hannah and Rowan Baxter on their wedding day. Photo / Facebook
Warning: Graphic content
A relative of the mother and three children killed in a horrific car fire says the man who set them alight was a "monster" the family had been desperately trying to escape.
Three children, Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4 and Trey, 3, were found dead inside the burning vehicle on Raven St in Brisbane's Camp Hill after police were called to the scene about 8.30am on Wednesday. The mother of the children, Hannah Baxter, 31, was rushed to hospital but later died of her injuries.
According to witnesses, the father, Rowan Baxter, 42, jumped into his estranged wife's car while she was on the school run and set it on fire before yelling at bystanders to stop helping, then stabbed himself to death. He was declared dead on site after emergency crews attempted to revive him, reports news.com.au.
Hannah Baxter with her three children. Photo / Facebook
The slain mother's sister-in-law Stacey Roberts said Hannah Baxter's parents had "exhausted themselves" trying to "help Hannah escape this monster" and asked for donations to help cover funeral costs via a fundraiser set up overnight.
"As you may be aware my beautiful sister in-law and my nieces and nephew had their lives taken by a disgusting human being they called their father," Roberts wrote on the fundraising page, which had raised more than $5000 within hours of going live.
"For all those who knew Hannah or had even just met her once would know how much of a beautiful soul she was, her children were her life.
"All she ever wanted was happiness. Her children were only a reflection of her. Gorgeous, happy kids who held a massive piece in my heart and I'm sure many others because that's exactly what they were like.
"We will miss them all more than anything."
Hannah Baxter and Rowan Baxter with kids Laianah, Aaliyah and Trey. Photo / Supplied
Rowan Baxter reportedly purchased a jerrycan of fuel from a nearby petrol station which he used to ignite the fire.
Another resident dragged Hannah Baxter out of the car as she screamed: "he's poured petrol on me" but she died in hospital hours later.
The horror unfolded in a suburban street where witnesses tried to save a mother of three and her children. Photo / Channel 9
The witness told The Australian that Hannah Baxter was "rolling on the footpath in flames". Another described seeing skin "peeling off her (with) ... bits hanging off", according to The Courier Mail.
Neighbour Aaron Snell told the newspaper that Rowan Baxter tried to stop bystanders from extinguishing the flames.
"He was protesting to stop (us) putting it out," Snell said.
"He was so angry and just going absolutely crazy.
"It appeared like he wanted it to burn."
Hannah Baxter's burnt-out car. Photo / News Corp
He said Rowan Baxter was in "all manner of states" and jumped into the flaming car to grab a knife while neighbours tried to help.
