An Australian rugby star is suspected of setting himself, his wife and three children on fire in an alleged murder-suicide.
According to Queensland police, Rowan Baxter, 46, killed his wife, Hannah, 31, and his children, ages three, four and six.
The couple, who formerly ran a gym called Integr8 in Brisbane were believed to have been involved in a custody dispute, according to Sky News.
Rowan Baxter played for the National Rugby League’s New Zealand Warriors in 2005.
The fire happened on Raven Street, Camp Hill, on Wednesday morning around 8:30 a.m., Australian time. All five people were in the car when it went up in flames.
Initial reports as published by The Australian said Baxter filled a jerry can with gasoline at a local service station before travelling to his parents-in-law's house.
Police found Rowan Baxter suffering from several reportedly self-inflicted stab wounds. Hannah Baxter, according to ABC, was found running from the vehicle and screaming to police, "he's poured petrol on me." She was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition, and later died from her injuries.
Police described the scene as "horrific."
"It will be a horrific thing for emergency services, police, fire and ambulance to deal with in the coming days," Queenland police detective Mark Thompson told 7News.
“How the fire actually occurred has not been ascertained at the moment,” Thompson said.
The National Rugby League is a 16-team league run by the Australian Rugby League Commission.
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