NEWS

Ex-NRL star suspected of killing himself and his three children

He also attempted to kill his wife in the tragedy after his marriage broke down.
Rowan Baxter and his family
Rowan Baxter and his family
Facebook

In a serious case of domestic violence, ex-NRL player Rowan Baxter is believed to have killed his three children – and himself – before also attempting to kill his wife.

WATCH: Three children killed by their father – an ex-NRL player – in a fire

A prolific Facebook user, his profile is filled with pictures of him spending time with his three young children, according to 7 News.

Mostly selfies, they are accompanied by comments of adoration.

“Goodnight my beautiful babies. Daddy loves you all very much,” he said on December 30.

“Always in my heart,” read another post on January 1.

Rowan Baxter and his family
Rowan Baxter and his family (Credit: Facebook)

On Wednesday, Baxter and the children – aged three, four and six – were dead.

His wife, Hannah Baxter, is in a critical condition with severe burns after the car the family was in was engulfed in flames in Brisbane suburb Camp Hill.

A man helped rescue her from the fiery inferno. He also suffered burns.

Just over a year ago, Rowan Baxter said of his relationship with Hannah that it was “hard to believe we have had 3 children in only 5 of those years” of being together.

“Love you to the moon and back #myworld,” he said.

Police have refused to speculate on how the fire started and would not say if it was a murder-suicide

His wife is in critical condition
His wife is in critical condition (Credit: Facebook)

Emergency services were confronted by a “horrific” scene. A hardened police officer, he said the incident was “up there” with the worst he’s seen.

7NEWS understands Rowan Baxter may have become estranged from the children in recent months.

In late December, he said on Facebook that he missed his children.

If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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