Perth Man Accused of Murdering Mother to Settle Debts

Prosecutors in Perth have accused Andre Rebelo of murdering his mother, Colleen Rebelo, to gain a financial windfall of $1.15 million, during his trial at the Supreme Court. Rebelo, 28, has already pleaded guilty to several fraud charges but denies the murder allegations. The trial is anticipated to continue for seven weeks, unfolding a narrative of a desperate bid to sustain an enviable social media image amid mounting personal debts.

The State Prosecutor, Brett Tooker, conveyed to the court that Rebelo had taken out three life insurance policies on his mother, naming himself as the sole beneficiary, just a week before her death. Ms. Rebelo, 58, was found deceased in her shower in Bicton on May 25, 2020. The cause of her death remains undetermined despite a coronial investigation. It wasn’t until two years later that her son was charged with her suspected murder.

Prosecutors argue that Andre Rebelo sought to capitalize on at least one of the insurance policies, valued at $500,000, going to great lengths to legitimize his claim, despite the insurance company’s skepticism. The accusations include Rebelo fabricating a will, a medical letter asserting his mother was not suicidal, and a forged death certificate claiming she died from a brain aneurysm.

At the time of Ms. Rebelo’s death, her son was reportedly in considerable financial distress, with personal debts exceeding $40,000. The court was told that Rebelo, linked to model and social media influencer Gracie Piscopo, was struggling to maintain the facade of a luxurious lifestyle while working at Coles and being unable to reduce his rental payments.

The prosecutor described how Rebelo had resorted to cashing in his superannuation and applying for JobSeeker benefits amid the COVID-19 pandemic, illustrating the grim financial realities contrasted with their public social media portrayal. Piscopo, who had substantial social media followings, struggled with repayments on a financed Range Rover Evoque.

Brett Tooker stated that despite the appearance of wealth and glamour, the couple was in severe financial trouble, lacking significant assets. Rebelo’s foray into cryptocurrency trading yielded only minimal profits, compelling him to rely on others financially, including Piscopo, who occasionally supported him.

The court was shown contrasts between the couple’s social media presence, with Ms. Piscopo boasting nearly a million followers collectively across platforms versus Rebelo’s considerably smaller follower base. Mr. Tooker suggested that these pressures, alongside the stress of mounting debts, motivated Rebelo to murder his mother.

Rebelo, who has admitted to document forgery in relation to the life insurance claims, refutes the murder charges. As the trial progresses, his defense lawyer Anthony Elliot is expected to present his counterarguments to the court. The trial continues to unveil the intricate details surrounding this high-profile case.