A woman who was reportedly murdered by her son, a cryptocurrency dealer, had stipulated in her will that she be cremated, which could have destroyed critical evidence.
Andre Zachary Rebelo, 26, is still incarcerated after being charged in November with the murder of his mother, Colleen Rebelo, 58, in May 2020 at her house in the upscale Perth suburb of Bicton.
Ms. Rebelo’s death was not considered suspicious because she showed no evident indications of injuries until an investigation into her son’s alleged fraudulent dealings was initiated.
It was too late, as her cremation could have destroyed crucial evidence.
According to court documents, Rebelo is accused of fabricating his mother’s medical records, including information requests, a death certificate, and her last will and testament.
The West Australian writes that Ms. Rebelo stipulated in her last will and testament that she want to be buried following her death.
A mother who was reportedly murdered by her son, cryptocurrency dealer Andre Rebelo (shown with his girlfriend Gracie), wished to be buried according to her last will and testament, with her cremation having the potential to erase vital evidence.
In May 2020, Colleen Rebelo, 58, was discovered dead in her house in Bicton, an affluent riverside suburb of Perth.
Uncertainty surrounds the details of how the documents were fabricated and the motivation for fabricating the will.
The police allege that Ms. Rebelo’s final will and testament was forged just days following her death.
According to court transcripts, Rebelo first appeared in Fremantle Magistrates Court five months after his mother’s death on six fraud charges. He was accused of attempting to fraudulently collect $500,000 between May 1, 2020 and August 25, 2020.
This amount is believed to be related to an alleged life insurance fraud that was subsequently dropped in September.
Rebelo has pleaded not guilty to five counts of document forgery with the purpose to deceive and is scheduled to stand trial in December 2019 in the WA District Court.
In July, he is accused of signing documents including medical information and falsifying a record containing an automated voice message purported to be from a person named “Noreena Sadou.”
According to the police, Rebelo allegedly signed a’record of investigation into death’ on July 29, 2020, using the name of WA Coroner Michael Jenkin.
The next court appearance for Rebelo on the murder accusation is slated for December 21 at Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court.
The police said in October 2020 that Andre Rebelo attempted to obtain $500,000 through fraud between May 1 and August 25 of the same year. The fee was eliminated in September.
Gracie Piscopo (left, holding son Romeo) said that she was battling to overcome the shock of her lover being accused with the murder of his mother.
His longtime girlfriend, Instagram influencer Gracie Piscopo, broke her silence earlier this month to express her absolute shock over the allegations, telling her one million followers that she is now only focused on her three-year-old son Romeo.
Ms. Piscopo wrote, “I would want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding throughout my absence.”
“For the past two weeks, I have been in a complete state of shock and disbelief, and the claims have had a profound impact on me.
“I am grateful to everyone who has contacted out and provided their love and support. This has been an extremely tough time, and my primary concern right now is my son’s wellbeing.
“I appreciate everyone’s understanding and respect for my privacy. Romeo and I shall overcome this obstacle.
Ms. Piscopo told The West, “Right now, I’m just concentrating on my baby.”