Brian Earl Johnston pleads guilty to murder of Kelly Wilkinson

There has been a major twist after a husband doused his wife in petrol and set her alight, killing her.

A man accused of killing his estranged wife after dousing her with petrol and setting her alight on the Gold Coast has pleaded guilty to her murder.

Kelly Wilkinson, 27, was found with significant burns in the backyard of her Arundel home in April 2021.

Her burnt body was allegedly found by emergency services at the home.

Brian Earl Johnston, 37, pleaded guilty to the mother-of-three’s murder via video link from prison in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Wednesday.

Kelly Wilkinson was set alight at her Arundel home by her estranged husband Brian Johnston.

Brian Johnston pleaded guilty to murder on Wednesday.

Police were called to the Arundel home after the body of Kelly Wilkinson was discovered in April 2021. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Steve Holland

Johnston had allegedly been found by police close by the home a short time after paramedics discovered Ms Wilkinsons burnt body.

He was found with serious burns to his hands and airway and was taken to hospital.

Johnston was set to stand trial next month in Brisbane, but was instead arraigned on the charge on Wednesday.

Justice Peter Callaghan set a sentence hearing for March 13.