Kelly Wilkinson found dead at Arundel property, police launch homicide probe

A man accused of the murder of his ex-partner in an horrific attack in a Gold Coast back yard remains in hospital under police guard as charges are mentioned in court.

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A MAN accused of murdering his ex-partner in an horrific attack on the Gold Coast remains “in a pretty bad way” in hospital under police guard.

HOW GOLD COAST REMEMBERED KELLY WILKINSON

Multiple charges including murder and breaching bail against Brian Earl Johnston were mentioned briefly in Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning, with the case adjourned to June 4.

Outside court, high-profile defence lawyer Chris Hannay said he had been unable to speak to his client since the shocking incident that left mother-of-three Kelly Wilkinson dead.

The official cause of her death will be determined by an autopsy, but it is understood she suffered horrific burns.

Johnston was also badly burnt and Mr Hannay said he was “still in a pretty bad way”.

“I’m told his injuries are fairly substantial,” he said.

Mr Hannay is also representing Johnston on other matters, but would not comment further.

Brian Johnston is charged with murder over the death of his estranged partner Kelly Wilkinson. Photo: Facebook

It is alleged Johnston, 34, set fire to young mother Kelly Wilkinson, 27, in an Arundel backyard.

“Obviously no one expected this to happen.”

Mr Hannay said he had not spoken to Johnston since Sunday but was trying to get to see him to get suitable instructions.

“I’ve been told his injury was fairly substantial in relation to burns.”

Mr Hannay said he met Johnston for the first time on Sunday.

Neighbours alerted police at 6.40am on Tuesday after hearing “raised voices” and a commotion at the Spikes Ct property.

Police at an Arundel home where the body of Kelly Wilkinson was found.

Police found Ms Wilkinson dead in the backyard.

Police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Nicole Jackson asked for the matter to be adjourned to the domestic violence court.

She said a partial brief of evidence could be ordered.

“It does take up to nine months to get the forensic pathology report,” she said.

Sen Sgt Jackson said a bail application could be made by Johnston in the Supreme Court.

Magistrate Grace Kahlert adjourned the matter to June 4. The partial brief must be provided by June 2.

EARLIER

THE estranged partner of a mother of three – found dead with burn injuries in the backyard of a Gold Coast property – has been charged with murder.

Police will allege Brian Johnston killed Kelly Wilkinson, 27, and had set her alight.

He was charged with murder on Tuesday night and the charge is due to be heard in Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Johnston spent the day under police guard in a Brisbane hospital after being found two blocks away from Ms Wilkinson’s Arundel home in a “semiconscious” state.

The 35-year-old remained in Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital on Tuesday night in a serious condition with burns to his hands and airways.

Neighbours alerted police at 6.40am on Tuesday after hearing “raised voices” and a commotion at the Spikes Ct property at Arundel.

Police found Ms Wilkinson dead in the backyard.

Kelly Wilkinson.

Ms Wilkinson’s family created a fundraising page on Tuesday, saying they were trying to support her children and prepare for funeral costs.

Detective Inspector Chris Ahearn said: “One of the lines of inquiry we are following is that the male person we located, and the deceased female person were known to each other and potentially in a previous relationship,” he told reporters on Tuesday prior to the murder charge.

“We are in the early stages. We’re canvassing residents in that area to get a better determination of that residence, who lives there and what the movements were there this morning.

“It’s obviously a very confronting scene.”

Insp Ahearn would not comment on whether the man had previously been flagged for domestic violence.

Police at the scene at Spikes Ct Arundel. Picture Glenn Hampson

The Arundel street was a crime scene as officers conducted an “exhaustive forensic examination”.

Detectives, forensic officers, police and SES volunteers canvassed the area in search of any evidence.

Insp Ahearn would not elaborate on whether Ms Wilkinson suffered other injuries.

“I can’t go into too much detail about that other than I can say that she has burns,” he said. “It was evident she had burn injuries when the forensic officers got to the scene. Again, our forensic specialists are on scene and the examination of that scene is going to take some time and once that’s done we’ll have a better indication of the nature of her injuries.”

Police comb the scene at Spikes Ct Arundel Picture Glenn Hampson

They were investigating whether they had dealt with the residence before, he said.

“We’re obviously very interested to determine whether there is a relationship between these two people and then part of that, if there is, we’ll be examining whether or not we’ve had any previous contact with them,” he said.

Tributes were flowing for Ms Wilkinson late Tuesday.

“Will always remember you as being the funniest person ever. So tragic beyond words,” one person wrote.

Another said: “Rest in peace you beautiful soul.”

Police comb the scene at Spikes Ct Arundel Picture Glenn Hampson

Arundel State School, where at least one of Ms Wilkinson’s children attended, sent a letter to parents about the death, offering counselling.

“Many of you will be aware a tragic event has occurred today and we are shocked and saddened by the tragic death of a parent in our school community,” principal Landon Dare wrote.

“We extend our sincere sympathies to her family, friends and loved ones.

“I know you and your children will share in our shock and sadness by the enormity of this situation …”

Fred Davies, who has lived in Spikes Ct for 20 years, said he was shocked and “perplexed to why it would happen”.

“I left at about 6.15am to take my step daughter 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. “I have no idea who it is, what’s happened, but to see this many police here obviously something pretty traumatic has happened.”

EARLIER

POLICE have launched a murder investigation after a woman’s body was found on the Gold Coast.

Emergency services were called Spikes Ct at Arundel just after 6.30am Tuesday.

A crime scene was declared.

Police have taped off the entrance to Spikes Ct.

Detectives are on scene door knocking nearby residents.

A Queensland Police statement on the death read: “Around 6.40am police were called to a Spikes Court address to conduct a welfare check.

“A body, believed to be that of a woman, was located in the backyard of the residence.

“A man was located at a nearby address and is assisting police with inquiries.”

Fred Davies, who has lived in the street for 20 years, appeared shaken.

“I left at about 6.15am to take my step daughter 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.

Fred Davies after the death at Arundel on the Gold Coast.

“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’s 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.”

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.

Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

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Originally published as Kelly Wilkinson found dead at Arundel property, police launch homicide probe