How did police miss opportunities in the Kelly Wilkinson case?

Police missed two opportunities, including miscategorizing a protection order breach which caused it to 'fall through the cracks' of the system, and an inappropriate bail grant for the estranged husband.

Was Kelly Wilkinson assessed as high risk before her death?

Yes, Kelly Wilkinson was assessed as being at a high risk of harm due to domestic violence, but she never received a safety plan.

What was the consequence of miscategorizing the protection order breach?

When the breach was filed as a 'street check,' it meant the report was not picked up by specialist domestic violence unit checks, causing it to be overlooked.

Home / Crime and Justice / Police Missed DV Order Breach Before Murder

Police Missed DV Order Breach Before Murder

4 Mar

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Summary

Police missed two opportunities to prevent a domestic violence murder.
A protection order breach was miscategorized, falling through the cracks.
The victim was assessed as high risk but never got a safety plan.

Police Missed DV Order Breach Before Murder

A Queensland inquest heard that police missed two crucial opportunities to prevent the murder of Kelly Wilkinson by her estranged husband. Brian Earl Johnston killed Wilkinson on April 20, 2021, eight days after being granted bail on a rape charge, an event described as a missed chance to intervene.

Further failures included a reported breach of Wilkinson's protection order being incorrectly filed as a 'street check.' This miscategorization meant the report bypassed specialist domestic violence unit reviews, effectively 'falling through the cracks' within the police system.

Wilkinson had been assessed as high risk and had sought help from both police and a domestic violence organization. Despite these efforts, a referral to a specialist officer never materialized, and no safety plan was developed before her death.

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