Inquest into Kelly Wilkinson's Murder Adjourned Amidst New Police Allegations
An inquest examining the police interactions with Kelly Wilkinson before her murder in April 2021 has been adjourned following the presentation of new allegations. Ms. Wilkinson, a 27-year-old mother of three, was killed by her estranged husband, Brian Earl Johnston, at her Gold Coast home. The inquiry has heard evidence of several alleged missed opportunities by Queensland Police in the days and weeks leading up to her death.
The inquiry has heard evidence of several alleged missed opportunities by Queensland Police, including errors in Johnston's bail process and an alleged failure to properly record Ms. Wilkinson's complaints.
The Tragic Murder of Kelly Wilkinson
Kelly Wilkinson was murdered on April 20, 2021, when Brian Earl Johnston, her estranged husband, stabbed her, doused her with petrol, and set her on fire at her Gold Coast residence. Johnston, a former US marine, subsequently confessed to the murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
The coronial inquest is investigating the circumstances surrounding Ms. Wilkinson's death, particularly focusing on the engagement between Ms. Wilkinson and Queensland Police prior to the incident.
Pre-Murder Police Issues Under Scrutiny
The inquest has heard evidence suggesting several concerns regarding police conduct and procedures preceding Ms. Wilkinson's murder:
- Incorrect Bail Grant: Brian Earl Johnston was granted bail on April 11, 2021, nine days before the murder, following charges for four counts of sexually assaulting Ms. Wilkinson. An internal police review identified that this bail grant was an error, as Johnston should have been required to argue for his release before a magistrate given the serious nature of the charges. Detective Inspector Paul Fletcher acknowledged this issue, and some involved officers have since undergone remedial training.
- Misfiled Protection Order Complaint: Police reportedly failed to correctly file a complaint made by Ms. Wilkinson regarding Johnston allegedly breaching a protection order. This reportedly hindered other officers' access to crucial case details.
- Domestic Violence Risk Assessment: Officers first became aware of Ms. Wilkinson's domestic violence complaints 23 days before her murder. Senior Constable Julien O'Rourke assessed her as a "medium risk." However, the officer was unable to access a PDF document from a domestic violence prevention center that reportedly indicated she was at a high risk. Inspector Fletcher stated that the Gold Coast vulnerable persons unit has increased its staffing, and Queensland police are working to improve their response to domestic violence victims.
New Allegations Prompt Inquest Adjournment
The inquest was adjourned after Mitch Rawlings, the lawyer representing Ms. Wilkinson's family, presented a previously undisclosed allegation:
- Turned Away from Police Station: It was alleged that Ms. Wilkinson visited the Southport police station on April 16, 2021, four days before her murder. She reportedly sought assistance and was advised by a staff member to “cool off, give Brian a break.” Ms. Wilkinson's sister allegedly drove her to the station, and Ms. Wilkinson recounted the interaction to her sister and two other individuals. Danielle Carroll, Ms. Wilkinson's sister, later made a similar allegation in a recorded police interview after the murder.
- Lack of Official Record: No official record of this alleged April 16 attendance exists in the internal police system, according to Mr. Rawlings, who contested Queensland police's assertion that Ms. Wilkinson's last engagement with them was on April 12, 2021.
- Adjournment Granted: Deputy State Coroner Stephanie Gallagher initially expressed reservations about the immediate relevance of the new evidence but granted an adjournment following arguments from lawyers representing the Gold Coast's Domestic Violence Prevention Centre, who emphasized the potential impact on the inquest's findings if the matter was not investigated.
Further Scrutiny on Police Conduct
Further allegations concerning police conduct have been raised, including one instance where an officer reportedly misrecorded Ms. Wilkinson's attendance at Southport. An internal police log allegedly noted she was “cop shopping” because she had previously attended another station on the same day.
An internal police log allegedly noted she was “cop shopping” because she had previously attended another station on the same day.
Family's Heartfelt Statement
Kelly Wilkinson's family members delivered a statement to the court. Her sister, Danielle Carroll, spoke about Ms. Wilkinson, noting she was 27 at the time of her death and described her as a loving mother and a safe space for her three children. The family conveyed the impact of her death.
The inquest remains ongoing.