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

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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