A crypto trader has been convicted of murdering his mother to claim over $1 million in life insurance payouts and maintain the façade of a “perfect life,” a court has revealed.
Colleen Rebelo, 58, was found dead in her bathroom on May 25, 2020, at her home in Perth, Australia. Her youngest son discovered her lifeless body in the shower.
Investigations revealed that Andre Zachary Rebelo, her son, had taken out three life insurance policies totaling $1.2 million AUD (£500,000) against his mother just one week before her death, naming himself as the sole beneficiary.
Although Ms. Rebelo’s death appeared sudden and unexplained, initial responders did not suspect foul play, and an autopsy could not determine the cause of death. At the time, Rebelo, 28, and his partner, Instagram influencer Grace Piscopo—who has over one million followers—presented an image of an extravagant lifestyle, posting pictures of lavish holidays, flashy cars, and indulgent experiences on social media.
However, the court heard the couple was secretly facing severe financial struggles, including debts of over $120,000 AUD. Just days after his mother’s death, Rebelo aggressively pursued insurance payouts, including a $500,000 AUD (£252,000) claim. To support the claims, he submitted forged medical records, a falsified coroner’s report, and even used AI-generated audio to impersonate Ms. Rebelo’s psychologist in a voicemail to the insurer.
Years later, a suspicious insurance company employee flagged the case, prompting an investigation. In 2022, police arrested Rebelo, and he was charged with his mother’s murder. The jury has now found him guilty.
