The inquest into the deaths of Hannah Clarke and her three children has shifted to her estranged husband and his deteriorating mental health in the lead-up to their murders.

On day three of the inquest, Nine News reporter Ebony Cavallaro says the focus was on Rowan Baxter and his disturbing behaviour before he killed Hannah and their children in an arson attack in Camp Hill in 2020.

The inquest heard from some of his former friends.

“There was a really interesting theme that emerged today and that was that everyone described him in a similar way, they used words like hot head, aggressive, doesn’t like taking no for an answer,” she told Sofie Formica.

“But one thing all the friends said, was they tried to help him, they saw his mental health declining in the final months before he carried out this unthinkable act.

“One of them had even given him $2000 to help for a counsellor to help get him some help and support because they saw his marriage was breaking down he wasn’t coping with it very well.”

She says tomorrow will focus on Hannah’s close relatives, including her mum, Sue and friends.

Press PLAY below to hear more about day three of the inquest

If you or anyone you know is impacted by sexual assault, family and domestic violence, you can call 1800 RESPECT.

Why Neil Breen is imploring everyone to follow the Hannah Clarke inquest