Second man arrested, charged with murder of Gold Coast mum Kelly Wilkinson

A second man has been charged with the murder of Gold Coast mum Kelly Wilkinson, with police revealing a major development.

Police have charged a second man with the murder of Gold Coast mum Kelly Wilkinson, alleging he helped in her killing by purchasing petrol that would later be used to set her alight.

The 25-year-old from Pimpama was arrested at a Coomera business at 9am on Tuesday and charged with murder, months after the woman’s death.

Ms Wilkinson was allegedly set alight in the backyard of a Gold Coast home on April 20, and her estranged husband Brian Earl Johnston, 34, was charged shortly after with her murder.

Kelly Wilkinson’s body was found in the backyard of a Gold Coast home on April 20.

Police allege Mr Johnston killed the young mum by setting her on fire on April 20.

Detective Inspector Chris Ahearn said police would allege the second man helped Mr Johnston by driving him to the house on the morning of Ms Wilkinson’s murder.

He is alleged to have further assisted by “procuring items like fuel” that were used in the killing.

“Prior to the murder, they stopped at a fuel station and fuel was obtained in a jerry can,” Detective Ahern alleged during a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

Mr Ahern said the man and Mr Johnston worked together, and are believed to have lived together “on and off”.

Brian Earl Johnston, Ms Wilkinson’s estranged husband, has been charged with her murder but detectives on Tuesday announced another 25-year-old man has also been charged with murder over the incident.

“These acts were preparatory … he aided Kelly’s estranged husband with committing a number of acts that helped him commit murder,” he alleged.

“In Queensland law, you can be held culpable for murder in those circumstances.

“This man was interviewed by police at the time of Ms Wilkinson’s murder … he gave a version at the time (and) subsequent police investigations have been able discount that version.

“We will allege he knew what the end result was going to be.”

The 25-year-old will appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Ms Wilkinson’s burned body was discovered in the backyard of a Gold Coast home while Mr Johnston was allegedly located a short distance away.