URGENT UPDATE: The family of Kelly Wilkinson, a mother brutally stabbed and set alight by her estranged husband, is seeking immediate answers following disturbing revelations about police inaction on her previous domestic violence complaints. New evidence presented during a pre-inquest conference has raised serious concerns regarding how her case was handled by Queensland Police just days before her tragic death.
Wilkinson, a 27-year-old mother of three, was found fatally burned outside her home in Arundel on April 20, 2021. Her estranged husband, Brian Earl Johnston, who had a history of domestic violence and was on bail for allegedly sexually assaulting Wilkinson, is currently serving a life sentence after pleading guilty to her murder in March 2024.
During the pre-inquest conference held at Southport Coroners Court, it was revealed that police dismissed Wilkinson’s complaints just nine days before her death. Counsel assisting, Bernhard Berger, stated that an officer at the Southport Police Station had remarked that Wilkinson was “cop shopping,” implying she was seeking police intervention for personal gain rather than safety.
The family, led by Wilkinson’s sister, Danielle Carroll, expressed their frustration at the lack of transparency regarding the police review of her case. “We are very interested to see what’s in it,” Carroll said outside the court, emphasizing their desire for closure and safety improvements for other potential victims.
Wilkinson had previously sought help from a domestic violence prevention center, where she voiced her fears about Johnston, citing his military training and multiple threats to kill her. Alarmingly, records show that police failed to act on her complaints about Johnston breaching a domestic violence protection order.
“The officers’ actions were initially upheld by a police review,” Berger informed the court, suggesting systemic issues within police procedures for handling domestic violence cases. The inquest will investigate whether Queensland Police have implemented necessary changes to their training and protocols following this case.
As the family awaits the findings of the upcoming three-day inquest, set to begin on a date yet to be determined, they hope to uncover the truth about the police’s handling of Wilkinson’s situation. The emotional toll on her family is palpable, with Carroll stating, “There is still a lot for our family to process and go through.”
This unfolding story raises critical questions about the efficacy of police responses to domestic violence complaints and the need for systemic reform to ensure the safety of victims. As this case develops, the urgency for accountability and change in how domestic violence cases are treated has never been clearer.
For those in need of support, immediate resources are available: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline 13 11 14, and Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491.
