05/03/2026
Kelly Wilkinson was turned away from Southport police station and told to ‘cool off, give Brian a break’ while seeking help just four days before her estranged husband, Brian Earl Johnston, burned her to death in 2021, an inquest has heard.
The allegation was made in an extraordinary 11th-hour submission by the lawyer acting for her family as they applied to adjourn the coronial inquiry to hear additional evidence about the allegation.
Mitch Rawlings, acting on behalf of the family, said Queensland police’s claim that 12 April 2021 was the last time Wilkinson engaged with police was false.
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Reporting by Andrew Messenger. Read the full story. 🔗👉 https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/mar/05/queensland-police-kelly-wilkinson-turned-away-murder-inquest-ntwnfb?CMP=soc_567