An inquest into the death of Hannah Clarke has heard she found a chilling note written by her estranged husband a month before the deaths of her and her children.
The note, found on Rowan Baxter’s phone, said the children “will miss you I’m sure”.
“You can’t f*** with someone’s life like this and expect them to just take it,” the note read.
“I’m not going to take it anymore Hannah.”
Ms Clarke and her three children were all killed by Baxter on February 19, 2020 when he set fire to their family car on a Brisbane street.
She uncovered the note on 26 January 2020, giving chilling insight into what was planned.
“Do you know how hard it is to go to bed every night without your children? I wish you had have just tried,” the note said.
“You destroyed my life and I cannot move on. I hope all this was worth it for you and your family.
“I’m finishing your game. I don’t want to play anymore. This was never ever my intention.”
The inquest also heard Baxter was “abnormally rough” with their three children, splitting one’s head open during a playfight and making the kids take an agonising “ice bath”.
Close friends of the slain Queensland mother revealed more disturbing insights into Rowan Baxter’s treatment of the young family as the inquest into their deaths continued.
Sue Clarke, Hannah’s heartbroken mother, also took the stand during an emotional morning of evidence.
Baxter murdered Hannah and their children Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4, and Trey, 3, as the family drove to school on February 19, 2020.
Armed with a knxjmtzywife and jerry can of fuel, he doused the car in petrol and set it alight.
Nicole Brooks, Hannah’s childhood friend, told the inquest the young mum had disclosed Baxter was “abnormally rough” towards their children throughout their marriage.
“He was awful,” Ms Brooks said.
During one incident while playfighting with Aaliyah, Baxter threw a pillow that caused the young girl to hit a doorframe.
Ms Brooks said the act split the child’s head open.
In another incident, she recounted Rowan taking a post-workout ice bath and deciding all the children would take one.
Trey, the youngest child, was nearly submerged in the bath and was screaming.
Ms Brooks said Rowan would film these experiences and post them on social media.
The court was told Aaliyah feared her father the most out of the three children, but would often stand up for him.
Sue Clarke said Baxter would storm out during fights with Hannah and Aaliyah would slam the door behind him and scream: “And don’t come back!”
Ms Clarke said she would also berate her father for “sulking” and not talking to Hannah.
“He would call me names, he would tell me there’s no reason for me to be at the gym,” Ms Clarke told the court.
Ms Clarke recalled an incident when Rowan was supporting her in the gym but dropped her, seriously injuring her face.
She said Rowan then “laughed” at her.
“He told me to harden up, that things like that happen all the time when you play football,” Ms Clarke said.
The court was told Baxter would punish Ms Clarke by refusing to let her see the children if Hannah “misbehaved”.
Hannah was not allowed to wear shorts or the colour pink.
Ms Clarke said Baxter would berate Hannah as “fat and lazy” in front of the children and at times criticised paying female members of the gym as “pigs”.
Baxter would appear to act as a generous person “all for show” – shouting beers, coffee and lunches for his mates while spending the family’s money.
The court was told Baxter “abducted” Laianah on Boxing Day, taking her to northern NSW.
During this time, Ms Clarke said Baxter demanded Hannah run his gym class in his absence, but she refused.
When Laianah was returned, Ms Clarke said she looked “traumatised”.
Ms Clarke gave heartwarming tributes to each of her grandchildren – “articulate and bright” Aaliyah, “little middle and little dynamo” Laianah and “sporty” Trey.
The inquest continues.
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