A coronial inquest examining the 2021 domestic violence murder of Kelly Wilkinson has heard an emotional statement from her family as proceedings concluded on the Gold Coast.
Wilkinson’s sister, Danielle Carroll, delivered a brief statement on behalf of the family during the final day of hearings at Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday. The inquest has been investigating the circumstances surrounding Wilkinson’s death and the police response before the killing.
“Kelly was just 27 when she left us; so much life left to live with a bright future filled with peace, surrounded by sunsets,” Carroll told the court.
“This was her only dream. She was a daughter, a sister, a wife and a mother.”
Kelly Wilkinson was killed in April 2021 in Arundel on the Gold Coast in a domestic violence attack that shocked the community and prompted renewed scrutiny of how authorities respond to threats against women experiencing abuse.
During her statement, Carroll described Wilkinson as a devoted mother whose children were the centre of her life.
“She was home for her three children, a safe space, someone who loved them all unconditionally,” Carroll said.
Carroll also spoke about a promise Wilkinson made with her eldest son, who was eight years old at the time of the killing.
“She made a pact with her son to protect each other through everything… something that now weighs him down, thinking he should have done more to help her,” she said.
“All that Kelly wanted from life was to love and be loved, and there are no words for the way she suffered in her last moments.”
Family members told the court that Wilkinson’s death continues to have a profound impact on her children and relatives.
“Losing someone to such a horrific murder is a different beast,” Carroll said.
“It is unforgiving. Every milestone and achievement of their children, I stand with them and celebrate but it should be her. We will never stop missing Kelly, and that really hurts the most.”
Deputy State Coroner Stephanie Gallagher acknowledged the emotional toll of the statement, telling the court she could not “imagine the courage it took” for the family to address the inquest.
Proceedings were briefly adjourned following the statement.
The three-day coronial inquest heard evidence from five witnesses, all police officers involved in the response to Wilkinson’s situation before her death. The final day of hearings has been set aside for legal submissions as the court considers whether systemic failures contributed to the tragedy.
Earlier in the inquest, evidence was presented suggesting Queensland police may have missed two opportunities to intervene before Wilkinson was killed.
Coroner Gallagher is expected to deliver findings and recommendations at a later date, which could include proposals aimed at improving police responses to domestic violence threats and preventing similar deaths in the future.
Wilkinson’s murder became one of the most high-profile domestic violence cases in Queensland in recent years and contributed to broader public debate about how authorities respond to escalating abuse and protection requests from victims.
