Timeline: Kelly Wilkinson’s murder by estranged husband Brian Earl Johnston
It was the murder that rocked Queensland – this is how the tragedy unfolded and what happens now.
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It was the murder that rocked Queensland.
The death of Gold Coast mother Kelly Wilkinson on April 20, 2021 added to the state’s tragic list of domestic violence offences.
Her killer, estranged husband and former US marine Brian Earl Johnston, was sentenced on March 13, 2024 to life imprisonment.
He has already been on remand for 1057 days which was declared as time served, meaning he will be eligible for parole in April 2041.
This is the tragic timeline of events that left Queensland in mourning.
APRIL 20, 2021 – NEIGHBOURS’ PANIC
Neighbours rushed to Kelly Wilkinson’s home after seeing flames shooting up over the fence.
When they got there they saw blood on the rear patio and the young mother up well alight about 6.40am.
Police also found a melted red plastic jerry can, knives and duct tape in the backyard of Ms Wilkinson’s Spikes Court, Arundel home.
A blood trail was found leading away from the property to a nearby home where her estranged partner was found.
Witnesses told police they had seen a man dressed in black with blood on his hands and wrists running from the home.
APRIL 22, 2021 – SEARCH FOR SAFETY
As the nation mourned, it was revealed Kelly Wilkinson was “very strongly and actively seeking to increase the safety of herself”.
Rosemary O’Malley, chief executive of the Domestic Violence Prevention Centre on the Gold Coast, said the 27-year-old alleged murder victim must be remembered as a strong and courageous woman.
“I suspect that Kelly’s life had been very different for a very long time before she was allegedly killed in such a brutal and horrible way,” she said.
“As a city we need to look at how we can support the courageous women who make that decision to leave a relationship because the risk of staying becomes greater than the risk of leaving.”
APRIL 26, 2021 – ‘SYSTEM FAILURE’
A floral tribute was laid outside the Gold Coast house where the mother-of-three was murdered.
It came as a family member of the family claimed the “system failed” her.
The insider said Ms Wilkinson raised concern about Johnston about a month earlier.
The family member said the tragedy could have been avoided.
“Australia wants to see change. Look at all these women flood news articles with “NOT AGAIN.”
NOVEMBER 21, 2022 – FRESH START LOOMS
The children of Kelly Wilkinson finally got the fresh start to life they deserve thanks to a selfless entrepreneur’s generosity, the efforts of hardworking builders and the community.
Ms Wilkinson’s three kids had been living with Ms Wilkinson’s sister Danielle Carroll and her husband Rhys.
The couple, their five children and Ms Wilkinson’s three children spent the next two years squashed in a four bedroom home where living areas were turned into bedrooms.
“We sometimes end up with five in our bed,” Ms Carroll told A Current Affair.
Now, thanks to the kindness of businesswoman Tamika Smith, that was all set to change as work started on the home.
Just days after Ms Wilkinson’s death, Ms Smith launched a campaign called “I Stand With Kelly” in a bid to build a home for the 10-person family.
APRIL 26, 2023 – STARTING A FOUNDATION
The grieving family of Kelly Wilkinson unveiled their plan to keep the beloved Gold Coast mum’s memory alive, almost two years after her tragic death.
Danielle Carroll was in the early stages of setting up the Kelly Wilkinson Foundation in honour of her sister.
Mrs Carroll planned to lead the foundation alongside gender equality campaigner Shaan Ross-Smith.
The organisation would provide direct and ongoing support to those believed to have experienced domestic and family violence, Mrs Carroll said.
JULY 25, 2023 – NEW FAMILY HOME
After months of waiting, the new home for the children of Kelly Wilkinson finally arrived.
The three children and the cousins they lived with were welcomed to a home built by a community determined to show that its love for them is stronger than the pain anyone can inflict.
But thanks to a campaign spearheaded by construction entrepreneur Tamika Smith of My Bella Casa, supported by businesses such as Metricon Homes and the Gold Coast Bulletin and 7 News Gold Coast at the outset, and anchored by the determined efforts of an army of volunteer tradies, a spacious new home was built.
“It’s really exciting to see it come together,” Ms Smith said. “Everyone has worked so tirelessly to make it happen.”
FEBRUARY 14, 2024 – GUITY PLEA
Former US marine Brian Earl Johnston pleaded guilty to the murder of his estranged wife less than one month before he was due to face trial.
Ms Wilkinson’s family was in Brisbane Supreme Court to witness Johnston’s arraignment.
He appeared via video link from Wolston Correctional Centre and pleaded guilty to one count of murder.
Defence barrister Kim Bryson said there would be some contest in relation to the factual background of the relationship between Johnston and Ms Wilkinson.
Crown prosecutor Philip McCarthy KC said the motivation for murder was not in dispute between the parties but agreed the broader facts surrounding the circumstances of the relationship were contested.
MARCH 13, 2024 – SENTENCING
Kelly Wilkinson’s estranged husband was sentenced to life imprisonment for the “planned, premeditated” brutal killing of the young mum-of-three.
Brian Earl Johnston received the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.
He will become eligible for parole after he has served 20 years in custody.
He has already been on remand for 1057 days which was declared as time served, meaning he will be eligible for parole in April 2041.
Justice Peter Applegarth said Johnston said despite Johnston’s “deluded” thinking, Ms Wilkinson was “not yours to control”.
“You ignored her dignity and her autonomy,” he said.
“You violated her security in breach of a court order for her protection.
“You brutally killed her in a sustained attack with knives and burnt her to death.”
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