On Tuesday morning, just before 7am, a woman’s body was found burned in a suburban back yard on the Gold Coast.
The woman has been identified as Kelly Wilkinson. She was 27 years old and a loving mother of three children, all under the age of 9.
Police have charged a 34-year-old man with murder and breaching a domestic violence order, after he was found in a nearby street with burn injuries in a “semi-conscious” state. The man is believed to be Kelly Wilkinson’s estranged partner and he remains under police guard in hospital. The charges against him will be presented to the Southport Magistrates Court today in his absence.
When police arrived at the scene on Tuesday morning, after neighbours had reported a disturbance, they found Kelly Wilkinson’s deceased body in the rear of the backyard, in what they described as a “very confronting scene”.
Kelly Wilkinson’s three children were also found inside the house and were believed to have been at home of the time of their mother’s death. The children are safe and have been taken into care.
“The male person we located and the deceased female person were known to each other, and potentially in a previous relationship,” said Det Insp Chris Ahearn.
“It was obviously a very confronting scene, a female person deceased in the rear yard of a residence, apparently suffering from burn-type injuries.”
The family of Kelly Wilkinson have established a GoFundMe page to support her children who have been left without their mother, and to raise funds for the funeral costs.
“Unfortunately Kelly has passed away in a DV circumstance 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 fundraiser by Natalie Wilkinson states.
According to Counting Dead Women Australia researchers of Destroy The Joint, Kelly Wilkinson is the tenth woman to be killed as a result of violence against women in 2021.
As anti-violence campaigner Tarang Chawla wrote on Twitter, Kelly Wilkinson’s death was preventable. She had a domestic violence order taken out against the man.
Kelly Wilkinson’s death was preventable. She had a domestic violence order taken out against this man. Yet the degree of men’s entitlement that leads to such crimes must be addressed at every level.
— Tarang / तरंग (@tarang_chawla) April 20, 2021
Kelly Wilkinson. Another Australian woman whose name we learn because she was killed. She was found burned in her backyard. She was a mum to 3 children. A 34-year old man has been charged with murder & breaching a domestic violence order. 😞 #HerNameIs https://t.co/iD14Njsc54
— Georgie Dent (@georgiedent) April 20, 2021
The horrific and senselessly violent death of Wilkinson comes in the midst of a reckoning of violence against women in Australia, and as the need for urgent action on domestic violence and abuse has never been clearer. Last year, 55 women were killed as a result of violence against women.
Her name is Kelly Wilkinson.
Support is available for those who may be distressed by phoning Lifeline 13 11 14; Mensline 1300 789 978; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636.
If you or someone you know is in need of help due to family and domestic violence contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732
In an emergency call 000.
Hero Image: GoFundMe.