Murdered mum ‘begged police for help’ in the weeks before brutal killing

The Queensland Police Service has confirmed an officer was subjected to disciplinary action for breaching policy over the botched handling of Kelly Wilkinson.

The Queensland Police Service has confirmed an officer was subjected to disciplinary action for breaching policy over the botched handling of Kelly Wilkinson.

They admitted they “failed” to protect Kelly Wilkinson from her killer, but Queensland Police have refused to reveal the outcome of the internal reviews into their botched handling of her case.

The move was slammed by Kelly’s sister Danielle Carroll, who said the QPS “owe it to the community” to reveal the findings of their investigations.

As The Courier-Mail revealed in 2021, Kelly begged police for help several times in the weeks before her death, alleging that her estranged partner Brian Earle Johnston was in breach of his domestic violence order.

Kelly Wilkinson. Picture: Facebook

Johnston was also allowed to walk free from the Southport Watchhouse on rape charges without even having to face a courtroom bail hearing.

Eight days later Kelly was dead.

At the time the Queensland Police Service admitted there had been a “failure” to protect Kelly and promised wide-ranging internal reviews of police failings.

However, in a 585-word, two-page response to The Courier-Mail’s questions about the outcome of those reviews, a QPS statement would not say what punishment or disciplinary measures were meted out for “breaches of policy”.

The statement confirmed that several internal investigations had been conducted by the Ethical Standards Command – the QPS version of internal affairs, with those probes leading to “disciplinary action being taken for breaches of policy”.

“The advice received from ESC is that we will not be releasing specifics on discipline outcomes of the members involved,” a QPS spokesman said.

Police at the scene of Kelly Wilkinson’s murder. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Steve Holland

“The QPS will always drive to improve practices and takes all domestic and family violence reports seriously and will never relent in their efforts to protect and support victims and survivors of domestic and family violence and bring perpetrators to justice,” the statement said.

“Everyone has the right to be safe, respected and live without fear of domestic and family violence.”

On Friday afternoon, the QPS issued a second statement, confirming that one serving police officer was subjected to disciplinary action for “breaching QPS policy”.

“The officer was ordered to undertake professional development as part of the discipline outcome,” the statement said.

“As a result of internal reviews into the matter, two new operational advisories were issued to all police in 2021 reminding them of their obligations relating to bail decisions for DFV offences, reporting requirements, body worn vision requirements and other matters relating to taking protective actions for DFV victims.

“There were also a number of policies and procedures reviewed and implemented relating to bail checks at police front counters and street checks.”

Danielle Carroll, who with her husband is now raising her sister’s three children, said she had never been notified about the outcomes of any internal reviews and the QPS should not hide the truth.

“It should definitely be public knowledge,” she said.

“They owe it to the community to show that they actually took steps or learned something.”

The statement said the QPS had made moves to implement reforms arising from the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce reports and the Independent Commission of Inquiry into Policing Responses to Domestic and Family Violence – both sparked by a tragic spate of DV murders on women who had raised DV complaints with police before their deaths.

Kelly's sister Danielle Carroll. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / John Gass

“These recommendations realise enhancements to prevention, disruption, investigation, and policing responses and initiatives to protect victim survivors and hold perpetrators to account,” the statement said.

“The response highlights the proactive approach, enhancements made, and continued commitment by QPS.

“The tragic loss of the life of Kelly Wilkinson and other women and children has a profound effect on the community of Queensland and the QPS and has shaped our approach to enhancing the knowledge, skills and abilities of our workforce, and our future response capability.”

DVConnect Womensline on 1800 811 811.

• DVConnect Mensline on 1800 600 636.

• 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.