Rowan Baxter, former New Zealand Warriors rugby league player, has reportedly killed himself, Hannah, his wife, and their three children in a car fire.
The incident was said to have taken place at Camp Hill in Brisbane, Australia on Wednesday.
It was gathered that their three children — Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4, and Trey, 3 — died on the spot alongside Baxter who was badly burned.
Emergency responders said Hannah temporarily survived the incidence, screaming “he’s poured petrol on me,” as she jumped out of the burning car.
The 31-year-old, however, died shortly afterwards at the hospital she was rushed to.
Lloyd and Suzanne Clarke, Hannah’s parents, told Daily Mail the former rugby player had been stalking their daughter for months while also tracking her phone, since their union fell apart.
Baxter had also been stalking his wife for months and tracking her mobile phone before “ambushing” them eventually.
“She had to get the kids and just go without saying anything, because he was such a control freak and would get into her headspace and she would give in,”‘ Hannah’s father said on Thursday morning.
Mark Thompson, detective inspector, while confirming the incident, noted that investigations were ongoing to ascertain the actual cause of their death.
“How the fire actually occurred has not been ascertained at the moment, so for us to call it a murder-suicide or a tragic accident is inappropriate for us to try and do that,” Brisbane Times quoted him as saying.
“It is very early in the investigation, but I can say that the vehicle was fully emerged in fire upon police services arriving.”
Mark Ryan, police minister, called the development a “horrific incident” while briefing members of the parliament about it.
“As members of parliament, we get to see the best of people and the worst of people. We can see the frailty of the human condition, we can see how precious life is,” he said.
Devastating news out of Camp Hill. My heart goes out to the families and community going through this tragic time and the emergency responders confronting what would be a shattering scene. If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. https://t.co/qJDieLMRiN
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) February 19, 2020
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