Life of Gold Coast mum’s accused killer prior to Australia revealed
The former US marine accused of setting alight Gold Coast mum Kelly Wilkinson in her own backyard had previously filed for bankruptcy in his home state of Ohio.
The former US marine accused of setting alight Gold Coast mum Kelly Wilkinson in her own backyard had previously filed for bankruptcy in his home state of Ohio and had petty run-ins with the law before the couple settled in Australia.
Details of Brian Earl Johnston’s life in the US emerged as Queensland Police grappled with questions about the handling of domestic violence cases and as detectives investigated a suspected murder-suicide in another Gold Coast home on Friday.
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Ms Wilkinson travelled to the US at the age of 18 to meet Mr Johnston, who she first spoke to online.
He had already retired from military service, having served from 2005 to 2010 as a marine.
A News Corp investigation revealed the corporal and specialist Fixed Wing Aircraft Airframe Mechanic served two tours of Iraq from 2007 to 2009.
He did not experience combat but earned several awards including the National Defence Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Now, he lies in a hospital bed in Brisbane.
M Mr Johnston’s lawyer Chris Hannay said he expected his client to remain in hospital for another “five to 10 days” as he recovers from injuries sustained in the alleged attack.
Early on Tuesday, 27-year-old Ms Wilkinson was discovered badly burned in the backyard of her Arundel home after allegedly being set alight by her estranged husband.
Ms Wilkinson’s family said the young mother had repeatedly begged police in recent weeks to lock her husband up because she feared for her life.
Mr Johnston has been charged with murder, breaching a domestic violence order and breaching bail for other serious charges.
US Federal records show Mr Johnston – originally from Creston, Ohio – and Ms Wilkinson filed for bankruptcy in 2012, the same year they married. The case was not closed until 2018.
They bought a home in neighbouring Burbank in 2013 but Ms Wilkinson’s family said she left her husband and returned to live near them on the Gold Coast five years ago.
Mr Johnston followed her to Australia and was living in Logan, north of the Gold Coast.
The tragedy has reignited calls for domestic violence laws to be strengthened.
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