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Court: Brian Johnston charged with Kelly Wilkinson’s murder after her body was found burned in a backyard

Darren CartwrightNCA NewsWire
VideoA man will front court, charged with murder of young mother Kelly Wilkinson who was found dead with fatal burns in the backyard of a Gold Coast home

A man charged with the murder of Queensland mother-of-three Kelly Wilkinson had visited his lawyer just 48 hours before her death in relation to a “domestic violence issue”.

Brian Earl Johnston, 34, did not appear in Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning where he was remanded in custody.

He is facing charges of murder and breaching a domestic violence order over her death, as well as one count of breaching bail conditions.

Ms Wilkinson’s body was found burned in the backyard of a home on Spikes Court at Arundel on the Gold Coast on Tuesday, after a concerned neighbour called police following a disturbance about 6.40am.

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Police say there were three children in the home at the time.

Kelly Wilkinson was found dead with burn injuries in the backyard of a Gold Coast property. The man charged with her murder did not appear in Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Picture Facebook
Camera IconKelly Wilkinson was found dead with burn injuries in the backyard of a Gold Coast property. The man charged with her murder did not appear in Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Picture Facebook Credit: Supplied

Mr Johnston’s lawyer, Chris Hannay, said he has been unable to see his client although he did speak with him relation to other “serious” matters and had also been representing him in regards to the domestic violence charge.

“I saw him Sunday … I got some instructions on some other serious matters … until these horrific issues,” Mr Hannay said.

“I took suitable instructions … he was pretty coherent . he was with a colleague of his.

“We went through a whole lot of things about the domestic violence issues and the DV and the kids and the family and no one expected this to happen.

“Everyone thought it would channel along as part of the normal process.”

“I’m trying to get in contact with him today but I am not allowed to speak with him at this particular point in time.

“I’ve been told his injuries are fairly substantial.”

Mr Hannay could not comment as to whether he was the father of one or all three children inside the home at the time of Ms Wilkinson’s death, and said the domestic violence matter arose only this year.

“They’ve been ongoing a little while . so he was already in court on those,” he said.

lawyer Chris Hannay
Camera IconChris Hannay said Mr Johnstone had visited him just two days before the attack and delivered ‘coherent’ instructions on an earlier domestic violence matter. Scott Powick Newscorp Credit: News Corp Australia

Mr Johnston was located two blocks away at a nearby address in a “semiconscious state”, also with burn injuries, police said on Tuesday.

He was suffering from burn marks to his hands and airway, and taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in a serious condition, where he remains under police guard.

On Tuesday, Ms Wilkinson was identified via a GoFundMe fundraising page which was created to help support her children and plan for the funeral.

“Unfortunately Kelly has passed away … we are trying to raise money to pay for the funeral, the kids schooling and all other costs. Please help us! We appreciate any help no matter how big or small,” the page, created by her sister Natalie, said.

Natalie also uploaded a new profile picture on Facebook on Tuesday picturing Ms Wilkinson, with the caption: “My beautiful angels.”

The GoFundMe page had reached more than $51,000 on Wednesday morning. The target was $50,0000.

The man remains under guard in Princess Alexandra Hospital and his case will return to court on June 4.

QLD_GCB_NEWS_ARUNDELMURDER_20APR21
Camera IconPolice locked down Spikes Court in Ardunel on Tuesday as they combed the area for evidence. Picture Glenn Hampson Credit: News Corp Australia

Originally published as Court: Brian Johnston charged with Kelly Wilkinson’s murder after her body was found burned in a backyard

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