Bradley Bell charged with Kelly Wilkinson’s murder after allegedly driving co-accused to house

Police have charged a second man with the murder of Kelly Wilkinson, who was set on fire in the backyard of her Gold Coast home.

A man who allegedly drove a former US marine to the home of his estranged wife, Kelly Wilkinson, has also been charged over her horrific murder.

Brian Earle Johnston is accused of setting Ms Wilkinson on fire in a suburban backyard on the Gold Coast in April.

Detectives on Tuesday charged Bradley Bell with murder, alleging he drove Johnston to Ms Wilkinson’s home.

The 25-year-old Pimpama man was arrested at a business in Coomera shortly after 9am Tuesday.

He has been refused bail and will appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

It’s understood Johnston and Bell worked together at the same marine engineering business at Coomera.

Kelly Wilkinson was allegedly murdered by her estranged partner Brian Earle Johnston. Picture: Facebook

Detective Inspector Chris Ahearn, of Gold Coast CIB, said it would he alleged that Bell and Johnston were known to each other and that Bell ‘was aware of his intent to murder her before he did’.

“It will be alleged he (Bell) did some acts preparatory to the murder that assisted Kelly’s estranged husband in committing her murder,” Det Insp Ahearn said.

“This is a terribly tragic event – family has lost a mother, a daughter, an aunty, a sister – who will not be coming home to them.

“Whilst this might give them some comfort, there is still a significant hole in their lives.”

Det Insp Ahearn said police would allege Bell helped Johnston commit a number of acts that had helped him commit the murder.

Bradley Bell has been charged with the murder of Kelly Wilkinson. Picture: Facebook

“Under Queensland law, you can be held culpable for murder under those circumstances.

“We will allege that he knew what the end result was going to be.”

Det Insp Ahearn said as well as being workmates, Johnston and Bell had lived with each other ‘on and off’ and allegedly ‘had communications’ before Ms Wilkinson’s alleged murder.

He said investigations were ongoing and would not rule out further arrests.

“The circumstances of Kelly’s death are tragic in themselves, but that a second person would (allegedly) said the person who was intending on killing her is reprehensible, absolutely.”

Officers allegedly found Johnston with serious burns after the death of the Gold Coast mum.

Police last week said they had compiled a “voluminous” brief in the case against Johnston.

Johnston, who is still recovering from his wounds, has made no application for bail and was not required for a brief mention of his case at Southport Court on Friday.

Outside court, Farshad Saravi from Hannay Lawyers said they had been unable to take much instruction from Johnston, who suffered serious injuries to his hands and throat.

Brian Johnston is charged with the murder of his estranged wife Kelly Wilkinson. Picture: Facebook

“He can barely talk,” he said.

“We’ve had very limited contact with him to this point.”

Mr Saravi said the brief of evidence presented by police was “voluminous”.

“It’s going to take us a couple of months to even look through,” he said.

Lawyers have also requested forensic DNA evidence from police.

The case was adjourned until October 15.