Kelly Wilkinson’s family issue statement about loss, killer’s sentence

The sister of murdered Gold Coast woman Kelly Wilkinson says her family is haunted by the fact that the man who stabbed and set her alight will have a second chance at life when he becomes eligible for parole at the age of 55.

The sister of murdered Gold Coast woman Kelly Wilkinson say her family is haunted by the fact that the man who stabbed her and set her alight will have a second chance of life when he becomes eligible for parole at the age of 55.

Ms Wilkinson’s sister Danielle Carroll spoke on behalf of the family outside court.

“It has been an incredibly painful journey for my family and after three long years, Brian has finally been sentenced to life in prison with 20 years parole time,” she said.

“Although a life sentence is fitting for someone who has committed such horrific domestic violence crimes, I can’t help but feel let down by the prospect of him being given a second chance and walking free after 20 years.

“Fifty five. He could be free at 55. My heart aches for Kelly. This is not justice for her, this is not justice for our family and this is not justice for future victims and our community.”

Danielle Carroll with her husband Reece (left) and Kelly’s father Reg (right) outside court in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / John Gass

Ms Wilkinson’s family established the Kelly Wilkinson Foundation after her death, which provides benevolent relief to secondary victims of domestic violence and their caregivers in the form of financial and practical assistance.

“My family’s journey does not stop here today it will never end, which makes me question who really gets the life sentence?,” Ms Carroll said.

“I’m proud to be able to stand up and honour Kelly by building a lasting legacy with the Kelly Wilkinson Foundation.

“I will walk with her always by my side, helping secondary victims of domestic violence. I ask for the community’s support to help the Foundation to create a positive legacy for Kelly.”

In a victim impact statement delivered to the court earlier, Mrs Carroll said it was impossible

to articulate her family’s loss.

“You have robbed me of a normal life with my baby sister, my confidant and my best friend,” she told Johnston.

“You have caused me and everyone around me a lifetime of immeasurable pain and suffering

“From the moment I received the phone call from my dad saying ‘he has killed her’ I just remember being overcome with complete breathlessness.”

She lambasted Johnston’s cruel act of burning Kelly which she said took not only her life, but her body as well.

“I couldn’t hold her hand, I couldn’t kiss her on the forehead,” she said.

“You robbed me of giving her the proper goodbye she deserved.

“All Kelly wanted was to love and be loved and all you gave her was pure evil. You let in an infinite darkness and my heart aches for her

Danielle Carroll with her husband Reece outside court in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / John Gass

“I can’t bear to think about her last moments and what you did to her.”

She said the pain never went away.

“The sleepless nights, nightmares, days on days of immense heartbreak only to turn to days of numbness before the cycle starts again,” Mrs Carroll said.

“We may never be around her cheeky presence but Kelly’s beautiful soul will always shine bright throughout her family.

“She is free from you and you can’t hurt her anymore.”

Kelly’s brother-in-law Reece Carroll told Johnston he wondered whether it was even worth writing a victim impact statement, saying he believed nothing he said would change who “who you truly are”.

“ … nothing will change who you truly are and I certainly know there is nothing I can say that will hurt you like you’ve hurt this family,” he said.

“I’ve tried to help you for as long as I’ve known you.”

Mr Carroll said he had supported Johnston from the moment he married Kelly right up until the weeks before he killed her.

“It’s taken me eight long years to realise there’s no helping a monster like you,” he said.

“I once called you brother. Once.”

Kelly Wilkinson’s murderer Brian Johnston has been sentenced to life in prison. Picture: Facebook

“How could anyone do something as unforgivable as this to anybody, let alone somebody they claimed to have loved?

“This is pure unrepentant evil and you did this. You did all of this.”

He said Ms Wilkinson’s children would endure a life without their beautiful mother whose love could never be replaced.

“They don’t deserve any of this and neither did Kelly,” he said.

Ms Wilkinson’s sister Natalie Wilkinson said the loss was so horrific that she struggled to get out of bed for 18 months and now found it difficult to communicate with friends and family and is living in fear.

She said she mourned the loss of the little moments like giggling with her sister, dropping the kids to school, talking with her and hugging her.

“I lost my best friend,” she said.

Ms Wilkinson’s grandmother said she missed the phone calls that would brighten her day and always end with a “love you, Nan,” from Kelly and a “love you, Kel,” from her.

“Kelly was always there when I needed her,” she said.

“Please tell me how to mend my heart.”