More than 1000 mourners have gathered to remember a mother and her three children who were burned alive by their father in a unthinkable act of domestic violence.
The vigil was held in Brisbane on Sunday evening to mourn the loss of Hannah Clarke and her children Laianah, aged four, Aaliyah, six, and Trey, three.
The venue – Whites Hill State College in Camp Hill – is just blocks away from where they were murdered on Wednesday morning at the hands of the children’s father, Rowan Baxter.
Dressed in pink, Hannah’s father Lloyd Clarke and brother, Nat, thanked the crowd for their support.
Family Image of Hannah Clarke critically injured standing with Rowan Baxter who died in the car fire along with the three children
Lloyd Clarke is comforted by his son Nat at the community vigil for his daughter Hannah and her three children
‘We would have felt lost without all your support,’ the distraught father said.
‘I don’t know how we can repay such kindness.’
He described the past week as the hardest of his life.
‘While dealing with this truly difficult time, my family and I are forever thankful to our neighbours and those who were first on the scene who tried to desperately help Hannah and the children,’ he said, according to The Courier Mail.
Lloyd and Suzanne Clarke, parents to Hannah Clarke, break down at a vigil to remember their murdered daughter
Hundreds turn out for a vigil for Hannah Clarke and her three children Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4, and Trey, 3, in Brisbane
‘You selflessly and without hesitation did what you could to save them. I don’t know how we can repay such kindness, other than to say we will be eternally grateful. You have restored out faith that there are many good and decent people in the world.’
Mr Clarke expressed extreme pride at his daughter managed to achieve in her short life.
He also reflected on the joy his three grandchildren brought to his life.
Many who addressed the crowd spoke of Hannah’s courage and love.
Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said Hannah was able to give a detailed account of the attack while fighting for her life.
Flowers left at the vigil for Hannah Clarke and her three children Aaliyah, six, Laianah, four, and Trey, three
Hannah Clarke is pictured with her son Trey before they were murdered by Rowan Baxter
While many tried to remember the best of Ms Clarke and her children, many could not hide their grief over one of the state’s worst acts of domestic violence.
A mass of flowers and children’s toys were laid at the front of the vigil, while hundreds of condolence messages have been written by a community still in shock.
Nikki Brookes was a friend of Ms Clarke, and had to hold back tears as she addressed the crowd.
She called for the community to not turn a blind eye to domestic violence.
‘We are a nation in pain,’ she said.
‘Don’t back away from your friends for the sake of convenience.
‘Time’s up on domestic violence.’
Thousands gathered to pay tribute to the mother and children who were burned alive on Wednesday
A mourner looks on during a vigil to remember murdered mother, Hannah Clarke and her three children
Baxter doused their car in petrol and set it alight while Hannah was dropping the children off at school.
The youngsters died at the scene while Hannah died in hospital.
Baxter stabbed himself in the chest and died from his injuries.
Hannah attended the school where the vigil was held – near her parent’s home.