In a story that has captured national attention, Brisbane couple Gladys and Don Johnson have finally reclaimed their late daughter’s Gold Coast property after months of distress and legal wrangling. The couple, both in their 80s, had been embroiled in a painful battle to evict a man who refused to leave the home following their daughter Kym’s tragic death.
The saga began in March, when their daughter Kym was found deceased at her Nerang property, reportedly after a fall down the stairs. Already grieving the loss of their only remaining child, having previously lost their son, the Johnsons were soon thrust into an unexpected and deeply stressful property dispute.
At the time of her passing, Kym had been renting out the property’s granny flat to Jason Davis. As executors of her will, Gladys and Don initially showed compassion, allowing Davis to remain rent-free under the simple condition that he maintain the property.
“I said if he looked after the property, he could stay rent-free as long as he kept it in good condition, like mowing,” Gladys explained.
However, it soon became clear to the grieving couple that Davis was not holding up his end of the agreement. Maintenance fell by the wayside, and concerns grew over missing personal items inside the house, items the family had hoped would remain untouched. While Davis denied taking anything, the relationship deteriorated rapidly.
By June, the Johnsons had seen enough. They asked Davis to leave, formally advising him in writing. When he failed to comply, they engaged a lawyer who personally delivered a letter giving him seven days to vacate. But even that legal step did not produce results. Instead, Davis sent aggressive and threatening messages, saying he’d only leave if there were “no more threats and no more bull— directed my way”, warning that otherwise, “it’s gonna be an eye for an eye”.
With no lease agreement in place and limited legal recourse, the elderly couple turned to the media for help, contacting A Current Affair, whose coverage of the situation brought widespread attention to their plight.
In a televised segment, Davis confronted the programme’s cameras, claiming he was “in the process of leaving” but cited the Gold Coast’s tough rental market as a reason for his delay. However, he refused to give a firm date for his departure, and the Johnsons remained stuck in limbo.
The tide finally turned in the weeks following the broadcast. Under the public spotlight and mounting pressure, Davis quietly vacated the property, bringing a long and painful chapter to a close for the Johnsons.
Don Johnson, 86, credited A Current Affair with helping end the ordeal.
“I just thank you people for doing such a lovely job, because you are the people that got rid of him,” he said.
Gladys echoed the relief they both felt: “I just hope nobody ever has to go through what we’ve been through. I think we’ve been to hell and back.”
The couple now hopes to sell the two-acre property, using the proceeds to help their granddaughter and to donate to charity, choosing to turn their grief into a legacy of kindness.
As Australia continues to grapple with housing pressures and tenancy disputes, the Johnsons’ story is a sobering reminder of the system’s shortcomings, but also a testament to the power of perseverance, media advocacy and community support.
