‘Immeasurable’ tragedy: family pay tribute to slain mum
All murdered mother of three Kelly Wilkinson wanted was to be loved.
She fell in love with a former US Marine and moved halfway around the world to start her family.
The incident ended in horror when she was doused with gasoline and burned alive by her estranged husband, Brian Earl Johnston, at her Gold Coast home on April 20, 2021.
His heartbroken family wept openly on Thursday as they made an emotional victim impact statement at the inquest into the 27-year-old’s death.
Ms Wilkinson’s sister, Danielle Carroll, said her sister had plenty of life left to live, a bright future “surrounded by sunflowers”.
Miss Carroll told Southport Court: “This was her only dream; she was a daughter, a sister, a wife and a mother.”
“He was home for his three children, a safe space; he loved them unconditionally.”
The children now live with Mrs. Carroll and her family, but this can never be the life they will share with their mother.
“All Kelly wanted from life was to love and be loved; there are no words to describe the pain she suffered in her final moments.
“Words that will make them feel good will never be passed on to their children.”
He said the ripple effect of the tragedy was “immeasurable” as the family survived minute by minute, hour by hour.
“Losing someone in such a horrific murder is a different beast, it is unforgiving.
“I stand with and celebrate each of their children’s milestones and achievements, but this has to be it.”
Kelly Wilkinson met the former Marine online when she was 18 and fell madly in love with him.
He moved to the United States, where the couple married four months later.
They returned to Australia in 2017 and were happy for a while before their relationship ended.
Just after 3 a.m. on April 20, 2021, Johnston drove to a gas station, where he filled a 20-liter jerry can with fuel. Johnston then arrived at Kelly’s home wearing black clothing and a black face mask, violating the temporary protective order.
He attacked his wife, stabbed her multiple times, then poured gasoline on her and burned her alive.
Johnson pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison.
An inquest on the Gold Coast this week probed the events leading up to the mother-of-three’s death and heard evidence that police missed key opportunities to protect her.
Johnston was mistakenly granted bail nine days before the murder after being accused of sexually assaulting his wife four times.
The police also failed to misrepresent Ms. Wilkinson’s complaint regarding Johnston’s alleged breach of the protection order; This made it much harder for other officers to find details about his case.
Detective Inspector Paul Fletcher, the officer in charge of the Gold Coast Vulnerable Persons Group, has previously admitted police were missing opportunities.
“Overall, they appear to have followed the procedures set out for them but there were areas where they could improve,” he told Southport Coroner’s Court.
Officers were first made aware of Ms Wilkinson’s complaints about domestic violence 23 days before the murder and later visited her home to arrange for her to make a statement.
The inquest before Queensland Deputy State’s Attorney Stephanie Gallagher was adjourned on Thursday and its findings will be communicated at a later date.
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