Andre Zachary Rebelo, a cryptocurrency trader and partner of Instagram influencer Grace Piscopo, has been found guilty of murdering his mother in a calculated plot to claim life insurance payouts worth over £940,000 ($1.2 million). The court heard how Rebelo's financial desperation to sustain his extravagant lifestyle led him to suffocate his 58-year-old mother, Colleen Rebelo, at her Perth home in May 2020.
Colleen Rebelo was found dead in the shower by her youngest son on 25 May 2020. Initially, her death was deemed non-suspicious, and an autopsy failed to determine the cause. However, prosecutors later revealed that Andre Rebelo had visited his mother that morning, sharing a cup of coffee before allegedly suffocating her with a pillow. He then placed her body in the shower, attempting to make her death appear accidental or natural, according to Metro.
Financial Desperation Behind the Crime
Prosecutors argued that Rebelo's motive stemmed from mounting debts incurred to maintain the illusion of an opulent lifestyle with Piscopo and their young son. Despite flaunting luxury cars and frequenting exotic holidays, Rebelo owed over £93,724 ($120,000), including £31,241 ($40,000) in personal debt, £54,672 ($70,000) for a car loan, and unpaid taxes owed by Piscopo amounting to £31,241 ($40,000), per WA Today.
Rebelo's financial instability contrasted starkly with the image of success he portrayed on social media. His alleged cryptocurrency profits were revealed to be fabricated, with mounting losses compelling him to devise a sinister plan to exploit his mother's death for monetary gain.
Life Insurance Fraud
In the week before Ms Rebelo's death, Andre Rebelo took out three life insurance policies on his mother, totalling £940,000 ($1.2 million), naming himself as the sole beneficiary. Within days of her passing, he began pressuring insurers to process the payouts, including a policy worth £252,000 ($321,000).
To support his claims, Rebelo submitted falsified medical records and impersonated his mother's psychologist using an AI voice generator. During the trial, Rebelo claimed his mother had instructed him to take out the policies for her family's financial security. However, the jury accepted the prosecution's argument that he acted alone, with no consultation or consent from Ms Rebelo, according to News.com.au.
Revelations from the Investigation
The case resurfaced years after Ms Rebelo's death when an insurance employee flagged suspicious documents linked to her policies. This led police to investigate the circumstances surrounding her passing. Listening devices installed in Rebelo and Piscopo's home recorded conversations suggesting Piscopo was unaware of the plot, with the influencer expressing concern about Rebelo being "framed."
Forensic pathologist Dr Reimar Junckerstorff testified that while the initial autopsy was inconclusive, later findings suggested asphyxiation. Small blood spots on Ms Rebelo's eyelids and bruises on her body indicated potential suffocation. Additional injuries, including a bruise on her eyebrow, suggested physical violence, consistent with the prosecution's claim of deliberate murder, as reported by Metro.
The Trial: Prosecution vs. Defence
During the eight-week trial at the Supreme Court of Western Australia, the prosecution painted Rebelo as a man consumed by greed and desperation. They argued that his fraudulent cryptocurrency ventures and financial pressures drove him to kill his mother for the insurance money.
Rebelo's defence admitted to committing insurance fraud but denied involvement in his mother's death. His attorneys claimed he pursued the policies in good faith, fearing fraud allegations if her death were considered a suicide. The defence maintained that Ms Rebelo's health and her inconclusive autopsy left room for doubt regarding the cause of death, according to WA Today.
Family members, including Antonio Rebelo, testified they were unaware of any life insurance policies. Rebelo's father expressed unwavering support for his son, calling the verdict "sad and disappointing."
The Verdict and Sentencing
Rebelo displayed little emotion as the jury delivered its guilty verdict. The court rejected his claim of innocence, finding overwhelming evidence of premeditation and financial motivation. He is scheduled to be sentenced on 4 April 2025.
What began as an image of wealth and success on Instagram unravelled into a tale of deception, greed, and murder. Rebelo's chilling actions reveal the devastating lengths to which financial desperation can drive individuals, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers of placing appearances above reality.
