UPDATE: The family of Kelly Wilkinson, a mother brutally murdered by her estranged husband, is urgently seeking answers as alarming details surface about police mishandling her domestic violence complaints. New evidence revealed at a pre-inquest conference indicates that Queensland Police dismissed her concerns, labeling her as “cop shopping” just days before her tragic death.
On April 20, 2021, the 27-year-old mother of three was brutally stabbed, doused with petrol, and set on fire by Brian Earl Johnston at her home in Arundel, located on the Gold Coast. This horrific act occurred despite Johnston being under a domestic violence order and on bail for sexually assaulting Wilkinson prior to the murder.
Wilkinson’s family is now demanding a thorough examination of the police’s response to her domestic violence reports as the inquest into her death approaches. Her sister, Danielle Carroll, expressed her family’s frustration outside the Southport Coroners Court on Monday. “We are very interested to see what’s in it,” she said. “There’s a lot we have not been exposed to yet.”
The urgent need for justice is underscored by the fact that just nine days before her death, Wilkinson reported Johnston for allegedly breaching a protection order. Yet, according to counsel assisting the inquest, Bernhard Berger, police records show that an officer dismissed her complaints, commenting that it “appears she is cop shopping to get the outcome she wants.”
At the conference, it was revealed that Wilkinson had expressed fear of Johnston, citing his military training and multiple threats to kill her. The situation escalated when Johnston, a former US Marine, entered her home wearing black clothing and a mask, equipped with a hatchet and sedatives. Tragically, her burnt body was found outside her home, with Johnston discovered nearby after suffering burns himself. In March 2024, he was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to murder.
The inquest aims to determine whether the police’s handling of domestic violence complaints against Johnston adhered to established procedures and policies. Berger stated that the inquiry will also investigate if appropriate changes to training and protocols have been implemented by the Queensland Police Service in light of this case.
Deputy State Coroner Stephanie Gallagher has adjourned the matter for a comprehensive three-day inquest, set to begin on a date yet to be determined. The urgency of this case resonates deeply with families affected by domestic violence, as they seek to ensure that no other victim endures the same fate as Kelly Wilkinson.
For immediate support, individuals can contact 1800 RESPECT at 1800 737 732 or Lifeline at 13 11 14. The call for justice and accountability in domestic violence cases has never been more urgent.
