Brisbane 18-year-old Isabella Wilkes mourns loss of her father

An 18-year-old Brisbane girl has tragically lost her dad and “best friend”, just before Father’s Day.

When 18-year-old Ella Wilkes said goodbye to her father and best friend while ducking out for the afternoon, she never thought it would be for the last time.

But just three hours later, on Sunday August, 21, Ella had to pull over to answer a call from police.

The Brisbane-based hairdressing apprentice, who graduated Sandgate District State High School last year, said she was just one street away from home at the time.

It was later confirmed her father, Alan Wilkes, 60, had died from a heart attack.

Ella Wilkes with her father Alan Wilkes at her school formal. Picture – supplied.

Ms Wilkes said the autopsy revealed fluid on his chest and an enlarged heart.

“There were no symptoms and he was very healthy and active,” Ms Wilkes said.

“He was my best friend in the entire world. When police told me I just broke down. I didn’t know what to do or who to turn to.

“My first instinct when something goes wrong is to call my dad but he was the only person I couldn’t call.”

Ella Wilkes with her father Alan Wilkes in 2008. Picture: Supplied

Ms Wilkes said her father worked for the government across various departments over the years; including Medicare, Centrelink and more.

Ella Wilkes with her father and best friend Alan Wilkes. Picture – supplied.

“He was also really into cars and karate. He had a close-knit karate community, he’d been doing it for more than 20 years,” she said.

“One of our favourite things to do together was go get sushi and just talk. He was supportive and always there for me.

“He would drop everything to do anything for the people he loved.

“I love him so much he always provided for me. He was so goofy and funny and loved to laugh. He had a really sarcastic sense of humour.

“We were really close. It was always just me and him against the world.”