9 episodes

NEW: The Ultimate Sacrifice

On Apple Podcasts, tap the 9Podcasts logo above.

Listen via Spotify 

Listen via Apple Podcasts

The Ultimate Sacrifice is the new podcast from host Melissa Downes and producer Jess Lodge. This podcast examines the shocking Wieambilla Police Shootings. It was just two weeks before Christmas, when four constables were ambushed as they walked down a driveway of a remote property. Two young officers were murdered, and an innocent neighbour was also gunned down. The property turned into a battleground, an hours-long gunfight ending with the deaths of three radicalised killers. 

A year and a half on, the haunting question remains: how did a routine callout lead to Queensland's deadliest police shooting?

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It was one of the most horrific acts of domestic violence Australia has seen.

On Wednesday the 19th of February 2020 Hannah Clarke and her three young children Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey were killed by Rowan Baxter, their father & Hannah’s estranged husband - set on fire in their car in a quiet Brisbane street. 

It sparked outrage, shock and a community conversation about a form of domestic violence few had even heard of - coercive control.

Now, Nine News Presenter Melissa Downes, alongside Producer Jess Lodge, delve deeper to better understand what happened: speaking to family, friends, first responders, witnesses, domestic violence experts and political leaders - some speaking for the very first time to reveal the whole story... Hannah’s Story.

This podcast explores details from the days, months, even years, leading up to the crime that the public hasn’t been told. Details that will shock you, disappoint you and leave you asking - how did this happen? And what needs to be done to make sure it never happens again? What needs to change to protect other women, and men, in abusive relationships?

We also hope to help spread the messages Hannah’s parents Sue & Lloyd are advocating, through their organisation Small Steps 4 Hannah.

New episodes weekly, starting Monday May 22nd.
Episode 1: Hannah Clarke - May 22
Episode 2: Red Flags - May 22
Episode 3: 19th February 2020 - May 29
Episode 4: The Inquest - June 5
Episode 5: Lessons Learned - June 12
Episode 6: Hannah’s Legacy  - June 19

Hannah's Story 9Podcasts

    • True Crime
    • 4.8 • 963 Ratings

NEW: The Ultimate Sacrifice

On Apple Podcasts, tap the 9Podcasts logo above.

Listen via Spotify 

Listen via Apple Podcasts

The Ultimate Sacrifice is the new podcast from host Melissa Downes and producer Jess Lodge. This podcast examines the shocking Wieambilla Police Shootings. It was just two weeks before Christmas, when four constables were ambushed as they walked down a driveway of a remote property. Two young officers were murdered, and an innocent neighbour was also gunned down. The property turned into a battleground, an hours-long gunfight ending with the deaths of three radicalised killers. 

A year and a half on, the haunting question remains: how did a routine callout lead to Queensland's deadliest police shooting?

***************************************************************************************************************************

It was one of the most horrific acts of domestic violence Australia has seen.

On Wednesday the 19th of February 2020 Hannah Clarke and her three young children Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey were killed by Rowan Baxter, their father & Hannah’s estranged husband - set on fire in their car in a quiet Brisbane street. 

It sparked outrage, shock and a community conversation about a form of domestic violence few had even heard of - coercive control.

Now, Nine News Presenter Melissa Downes, alongside Producer Jess Lodge, delve deeper to better understand what happened: speaking to family, friends, first responders, witnesses, domestic violence experts and political leaders - some speaking for the very first time to reveal the whole story... Hannah’s Story.

This podcast explores details from the days, months, even years, leading up to the crime that the public hasn’t been told. Details that will shock you, disappoint you and leave you asking - how did this happen? And what needs to be done to make sure it never happens again? What needs to change to protect other women, and men, in abusive relationships?

We also hope to help spread the messages Hannah’s parents Sue & Lloyd are advocating, through their organisation Small Steps 4 Hannah.

New episodes weekly, starting Monday May 22nd.
Episode 1: Hannah Clarke - May 22
Episode 2: Red Flags - May 22
Episode 3: 19th February 2020 - May 29
Episode 4: The Inquest - June 5
Episode 5: Lessons Learned - June 12
Episode 6: Hannah’s Legacy  - June 19

    Episode 1: The Ambush

    Episode 1: The Ambush

    Australia was left in shock when four young police officers were ambushed on the driveway of a property in the Queensland outback town of Wieambilla: two were executed in cold blood, two were forced to fight for their lives, and an innocent neighbour was murdered. Before the coronial inquest begins, we take you back to the 12th of December, 2022. How did a routine missing persons callout end in the deaths of Constables Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, and neighbour Alan Dare? And how did two officers survive?
    Episodes 3 & 4 of The Ultimate Sacrifice are out Monday, July 22nd.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 36 min
    New from us: The Ultimate Sacrifice

    New from us: The Ultimate Sacrifice

    A year on from Hannah's Story, host Melissa Downes and producer Jess Lodge share an update and invite you to listen to their new podcast, The Ultimate Sacrifice.
    Tap here for episodes 1 & 2, droping Monday, July 15th
    Apple Podcasts
    Spotify
    Two weeks before Christmas in 2022, what should have been a routine check by four young police officers on a remote property in Wieambilla turned into a massacre. Two officers and an innocent neighbour were murdered by religiously motivated conspiracy theorists before a six-hour firefight ended in the killers' deaths. As the coronial inquest approaches, a haunting question remains unanswered: how could this happen in our own backyard?
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 10 min
    6. Hannah's Legacy

    6. Hannah's Legacy

    Amidst the grief, there is a story of hope. There has to be, to give Hannah a voice and to ensure her legacy.
    So how are Hannah's family, friends and all those touched by the tragedy finding a way forward? 
    Sue & Lloyd Clarke are working tirelessly to turn Small Steps 4 Hannah into a movement: changing laws, education and conversation. Their commitment inspires others like the mysterious “Mr X” helping them turn a big dream into reality.
    Learn more here about Small Steps 4 Hannah 
    If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, please reach out for help.
    1800 RESPECT  1800 737 732
    Mensline  1300 78 99 78
    Lifeline  13 11 14
    Beyond DV
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 53 min
    5. Lessons Learned

    5. Lessons Learned

    We cannot talk about Hannah Clarke without acknowledging the other women killed in similar circumstances. It’s Australia’s shame - on average one woman is killed every week by a partner or former partner. 
    In this episode, we ask Queensland’s Police Commissioner and former Attorney General what has changed since Hannah's death, from education to policing and legislation. While DV experts and academics explain what we all need to do to create change in our community.
    Learn more here about Small Steps 4 Hannah 
    If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, please reach out for help.
    1800 RESPECT  1800 737 732
    Mensline  1300 78 99 78
    Lifeline  13 11 14
    Beyond DV 
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 1 hr 6 min
    4. The Inquest

    4. The Inquest

    Two years have passed since the unimaginable murder of Hannah and her children. Now the Coronial Inquest begins, with new evidence drawing back the curtain on how this young family’s life was lived and lost. Disturbing details made public for the first time, along with CCTV footage, phone calls, a secret letter and police camera recordings. Intense interest surrounds the Inquest as Hannah’s parents watch on, reliving the worst day of their lives, over and over again.
    Learn more here about Small Steps 4 Hannah 
    If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, please reach out for help.
    1800 RESPECT  1800 737 732
    Mensline  1300 78 99 78
    Lifeline  13 11 14
    Beyond DV 
    Episode 5: Lessons Learned, coming June 12
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 1 hr 10 min
    3. 19th February, 2020

    3. 19th February, 2020

    It was a day that shocked Australia: the day Rowan Baxter killed Hannah Clarke and their three children, dousing them in petrol and setting them on fire in a quiet suburban street. We return to the scene of the crime with witnesses, journalists, the lead paramedic - complete strangers caught up in the unthinkable devastation, who are now sharing their story publicly for the first time. 
    Hannah’s family tells of their final precious moments together as Australia was being told the incomprehensible news.
    Learn more here about Small Steps 4 Hannah 
    If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, please reach out for help.
    1800 RESPECT  1800 737 732
    Mensline  1300 78 99 78
    Lifeline  13 11 14
    Beyond DV
    Episode 4: The Inquest coming June 5. 
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 1 hr 4 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
963 Ratings

963 Ratings

PialovesBasil ,

A dignified and powerful ode to Hannah and her children

An intense listen, and you should do so with self care in mind. This is a respectful tribute to Hannah and her children, and something we all need to understand if we are going to stand up to DVF in all its forms. This isn’t the story of victims. This is a story of people who’s lives have and will change society for the better.

Wendy Russell ,

Absolutely heartbreaking

This was very hard to listen to but important to bring DV to the forefront

Sueyzooy ,

Hannah’s story

What a sad sad story of how theAustralian legal framework does not protect the innocent. This makes me sick with sorrow for Hannah’s family.

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