Kelly Wilkinson’s death: Last moments revealed including what was found in her backyard at Arundel, Gold Coast
A touching tribute has been laid near the Gold Coast house where a mother-of-three was allegedly murdered by her estranged partner.
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A FLORAL tribute has been laid outside the Gold Coast house where a mother-of-three was allegedly murdered by her estranged partner.
Kelly Wilkinson, 27, was found dead with burns in the backyard of her Arundel property on Tuesday.
Flowers were laid outside the property on Thursday.
It comes as a family member of the mother-of-three claimed the “system failed” her.
Ms Wilkinson’s estranged partner, and father of her three children, Brian Johnston, has been charged with murder.
Johnston’s social media profile is filled with photos of their children, including what appears to be a wedding picture.
“Kids are growing so fast,” one person wrote on a family photo, where they are all smiling.
It’s understood Johnston attended the funeral of Ms Wilkinson’s mother last month.
Under his ‘about’ page on Facebook, he wrote “Takeing it 1 day at a time”. (sic)
He said he was “born n raised” in Wayne County Ohio and that he had been in the US Marines since 2005.
A family member told the Bulletin the pair had been together for about a decade.
The family member said she didn’t have much to do with Johnston, originally from the United States.
The insider said Ms Wilkinson raised concern about Johnston about a month ago.
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.”
The charge was mentioned briefly in Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
INSIDE KELLY WILKINSON’S TERRIFYING FINAL MINUTES
NEIGHBOURS rushed to Kelly Wilkinson’s home after seeing flames shooting up over the fence.
When they got there they allegedly saw blood on the rear patio and the young mother up against the fence motionless and well alight about 6.40am on Tuesday.
Police also found what appeared to be a melted red plastic jerry can, three 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 Langer Place home where her estranged partner, former US Marine Brian Earl Johnston was found, it is alleged.
Witnesses are believed to have told police they had seen a man dressed in black with blood on his hands and wrists running from the home.
A knife sheath found by police on Johnston when he was semi-conscious in the front yard is being examined to determine whether it matches one of the knives found near Ms Wilkinson’s body.
The three knives found in the yard by police were in three different locations – one in the pool, one in the grass and one under Ms Wilkinson’s head.
What appeared to be a melted red, plastic jerry can was also found by Ms Wilkinson’s body.
Police allegedly also found in the back yard a camouflage duffel bag containing white rope, duct tape and a black and red jemmy bar.
Johnston has been charged with murdering Ms Wilkinson by setting her alight.
While it is believed the fire was her cause of death, police will have to wait up to nine months for toxicology results to be returned.
It is alleged neighbours heard raised voices about 6am and alerted police after seeing flames higher than the fence dividing the properties.
Johnston remains in a Brisbane hospital where he allegedly has significant burns.
The 34-year-old was charged with multiple charges including murder and breaching bail.
When the case was in Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Nicole Jackson said it would take up to nine months for forensic pathology results to come back.
Johnston, who lives in Logan, was born in Wooster, Ohio and is a former US Marine.
He and Ms Wilkinson had been together for about nine years.
Johnston remains under police guard in hospital and will be transferred to prison on remand when fit for release.
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