A former US Marine has admitted to killing his estranged wife by lighting her on fire just weeks before he was expected to stand trial. 

Brian Earl Johnston pleaded guilty to the murder of Kelly Wilkinson at Queensland’s Supreme Court on Wednesday. 

Johnston set Ms Wilkinson, 27, on fire in the backyard of the family home at Arundel, on the Gold Coast, about 6.40am on April 20, 2021. 

He was found two blocks away on a front lawn in a ‘semiconscious state’, with a melted plastic jerry can, three knives and a duffel bag with duct tape found at the scene. 

Brian Earl Johnston pleaded guilty to the murder of Kelly Wilkinson (pictured together) at Queensland ‘s Supreme Court on Wednesday 

A heartbroken neighbour reported finding her three children, who were aged between two and nine at the time, crying on the front driveway after the awful killing. 

Johnston will be sentenced next month and has been remanded in custody.

In court on Wednesday, Johnston did not respond when asked if he wanted to say anything as to why a sentence should not be passed upon him.

Defence barrister Kim Bryson said she had agreed with crown prosecutor Philip McCarthy that March 13 would be suitable for a sentencing hearing.

‘There are some factual matters that remain contested in relation to the background of the relationship … we have been frustrated in our efforts to get out to the prison due to the lockdowns that have occurred,’ Ms Bryson said.

Mr McCarthy said there was also a contest of facts over the motivation for Johnston murdering Ms Wilkinson.

Johnston will be sentenced in March

The couple holding one of their children during a holiday in the US. Johnston (right) is in a serious condition under police guard at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital

Justice Callaghan said he could change the sentencing date if needed.

Daily Mail Australia reported late last year how an entrepreneur worked around the clock to secure a house and land package for Ms Wilkinson’s three children. 

The children were taken in by Ms Wilkinson’s sister Danielle Carroll, her husband and their five cousins.

Construction entrepreneur Tamika Smith launched a community appeal to help build a new home to accommodate the family of ten on the Gold Coast’s outskirts, which they moved into in July last year.

Their new home was built by an army of local tradies and volunteers in a project spearheaded by Metricon Homes and My Bella Casa founder Tamika Smith, who is the stepsister of Ms Carroll’s husband. 

Johnston served two tours of duty in Iraq with the aviation division of the US Marine Corps – but did not see combat. 

He had met Ms Wilkinson in the US state of Ohio after his time in the military. 

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The estranged couple on their wedding day. Ms Wilkinson’s mother Karen died in February in a tragic double blow for the family