Kelly Wilkinson murder inquest abruptly halted after stunning new allegations
Kelly Wilkinson was killed by her estranged husband Brian Earl Johnston in 2021. (Supplied: Go Fund Me/Natalie Wilkinson)
In short:
The coronial inquest into police actions prior to the murder of Kelly Wilkinson has been abruptly halted due to the emergence of fresh allegations.
The Gold Coast mother-of-three was murdered by her estranged husband in 2021.
What's next?
Coroner Stephanie Gallagher adjourned the inquest to a date yet to be set.
An inquest into the brutal 2021 murder of Kelly Wilkinson has been unexpectedly adjourned after new information that the Gold Coast mother was allegedly turned away by police and told to "cool off" and "give Brian a break" four days before he killed her.
Ms Wilkinson was stabbed and set on fire by her estranged husband, former US marine Brian Earl Johnston, in the backyard of her Arundel home in April 2021.
Johnston was sentenced to life in prison after confessing to the murder.
Brian Earl Johnston killed Kelly Wilkinson at her Arundel home. (Facebook)
An inquest probing Queensland Police interactions with Ms Wilkinson prior to her death was abruptly halted on Thursday after an allegation emerged that she was turned away from Southport Police Station four days before her murder.
Ms Wilkinson's family's lawyer, Mitch Rawlings, revealed the allegation, previously undisclosed to the court, on Thursday afternoon as final submissions were about to begin.
He explained that after "listening intently" to the evidence throughout the hearing, the family brought the matter to his attention.
Mr Rawlings said Ms Wilkinson's sister, who was not identified to the court, drove her to the station on April 16 to drop off a printout of text messages she had received from a colleague of Johnston's, which police had previously requested.
But the court heard Ms Wilkinson returned to the car "moments" later, complaining the front desk staff had turned her away, saying words to the effect of "just cool off, give Brian a break".
The coroner heard this alleged incident would have been Ms Wilkinson's last interaction with police before she was murdered.
Kelly Wilkinson had several interactions with police in the weeks before she was killed. (Facebook)
Inquest adjourned following fresh evidence
Mr Rawlings subsequently applied to adjourn proceedings so this new evidence could to be investigated further, but Deputy State Coroner Stephanie Gallagher was initially reluctant.
"I don't know how it will give me better information than I have," she said.
"For my purposes as opposed to police purposes, I don't think it changes anything for me."
However, lawyers for the Gold Coast's Domestic Violence Prevention Centre argued the coroner risked casting doubt on the inquest's findings if the matter was not investigated further.
After a brief break Magistrate Gallagher adjourned the inquest to a date to be set.
"It would be remiss of me not to adjourn,"she said.
It was not revealed in court whether Ms Wilkinson delivered the printout to police.
Kelly Wilkinson's sister Danielle Carroll said her sister "loved unconditionally". (ABC Gold Coast: Charmayne Allison)
Family delivers emotional statement
The new allegation emerged after Kelly Wilkinson's family members delivered an emotional statement to the court about the beloved daughter, wife, sister and mother.
"Her name is Kelly. Kelly was just 27 when she left us," her sister Danielle Carroll read, fighting back tears.
"[She had] so much life left to give with a bright future filled with peace and surrounded by sunflowers.
"This was her only dream."
Ms Carroll reflected on her sister as a mother, describing her as "home for her three children. A safe space. Someone who loved them unconditionally".
Kelly Wilkinson's family says they will "never stop missing" her. (ABC News/Chris Gilette)
Court hears of 'immense' pain of family
She told the court the effect of Ms Wilkinson's death had been "immense" and "immeasurable".
"At times we have to live hour by hour and sometimes minute by minute," Ms Carroll read.
"Losing someone to such a horrific murder is a different beast.
"It is unforgiving. At every milestone and achievement for her children I stand with them and celebrate, but it should be her.
"We will never stop missing Kelly and that really hurts the most."
The inquest has heard Ms Wilkinson had several interactions with police in the three weeks before she died, including what police described as two "missed opportunities" to assist her.
The coroner is also examining whether the Queensland Police Service has made appropriate changes in the years since Ms Wilkinson's death to address any shortcomings.