Vigil held for Hannah Clarke and three children killed in deliberately lit car fire

24/02/2020
Laura Grigg

Warning: This article contains details that may disturb some people.

Over a thousand people gathered for a vigil in south Brisbane to grieve the loss of mother Hannah Clarke and her three murdered children.

Last week Clarke's estranged husband, Rowan Baxter, lit the car they were in on fire and Laianah, Aaliyah and Trey burned to death. Clarke died later in hospital from horrific burns.

As his children and wife burned, Baxter stabbed himself to death on the footpath.

Lloyd and Suzanne Clarke, parents to Hannah. Photo credit: Getty

On Sunday evening, a heartbroken community gathered at the memorial to remember the family, according to 7 News, Clarke's father Llyod and brother, Nat thanked the crowd for the ongoing support.

Llyod and Nathaniel Clarke. Photo credit: Getty

"This has been the worst week of our lives," Llyod Clarke said.

"I don't know how we can repay such kindness."

A sea of flowers and children's toys were laid at the front of the service, held in the park where fitness coach, Clarke use to train and blocks away from the horrifying murder.

The service celebrated the four beautiful lives taken, but there was still no hiding the immense grief over one of Queensland's worst cases of domestic violence.

Those who spoke, talked about Hannah's courage and love. As 7 News reported, her long-time friend, Nikki Brooks said her grief has led to calls for action against domestic violence.

Hannah Clarke with Rowan Baxter and children in 2020. Photo credit: Facebook

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said Clarke showed courage and heroism in her final hours as she gave police a detailed account of the attack.

Friend Simon Farmer, spoke to the Australian about Clarke when she was fighting for her life in hospital, where 97 percent of her body was burned.

"We were in the ICU and we knew there was no hope,'' Farmer told the Australian.

"The nurse held up the footprint and said, 'This is all we could get'. It was just an incredibly powerful moment,'' described Farmer.