Ex-partner charged with murder of Kelly Wilkinson on Gold Coast

The estranged partner of Kelly Wilkinson, found dead with burn injuries in a Gold Coast back yard, has been charged with her murder.

The estranged partner of Kelly Wilkinson, who was found dead with burn injuries in her Gold Coast back yard on Tuesday morning, has been charged with her murder.

Brian Johnston, 34, of New Beith in Logan, was on Tuesday night charged with murder.

He was under police guard in Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital after allegedly being found in a semiconscious state two blocks from the Arundel house where the body of Ms Wilkinson, 27, was found.

Johnston was in a serious condition with burns to his hands and airways.

He will have the charges presented to the Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday in his absence.

Kelly Wilkinson

A GoFundMe fundraising page was created on Tuesday to help support Ms Wilkinson’s children and plan for the funeral.

“Unfortunately Kelly has passed away ... we are trying to raise money to pay for the funeral, the kids schooling and all other costs,” the page, created by Natalie Wilkinson, said.

Police were called to a home at Spikes Crt at Arundel for a welfare check about 6.40am after a concerned neighbour called police to report a disturbance.

On arrival, police found Ms Wilkinson’s body in the back yard.

Police on the scene of a suspected murder at Arundel on the Gold Coast. Picture: Nigel Hallett

A crime scene has been declared and the whole area was being canvassed, including the suspension of rubbish collection as police comb for evidence.

Detective Inspector Chris Ahearn said: “The forensic examination will take some time.

“There may be further evidence that has left that scene. Our intention is to lock that area down and determine (whether that is the case).”

Fred Davies, who has lived in the street for 20 years, appeared shaken at this morning’s developments.

“I left at about 6.15am to take my stepdaughter to the hospital for an operation. I came home and the street’s blocked off and I’m just going ‘what’s going on here?’,” he said.

A heavy police presence at Spikes Crt after a woman’s body was found. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“When we lived in a street for as long as we have, and we all know one another, I have no idea who it is, what’s happened, but to see this many police here obviously something pretty traumatic has happened.

“They won’t tell me nothing. They wouldn’t say a word. They’ve just asked to have a look at the cameras.

“They said they’ll be back later to have a look, they just wanted to see how clear the pictures were.”

Originally published as Ex-partner charged with murder of Kelly Wilkinson on Gold Coast