UPDATE: Convicted murderer Andre Zachary Rebelo is set to appeal his 25-year prison sentence after being found guilty of killing his mother, Colleen Rebelo, to claim $1.15 million in life insurance. This shocking development comes just months after a jury in the WA Supreme Court delivered its verdict in April.
Rebelo, a former cryptocurrency trader, was convicted for the heinous act described by authorities as the ultimate betrayal. In a case that has captivated the public, he is appealing the decision, with a deadline set for September 21, 2023.
The crime occurred in Bicton, Australia, where Colleen was found dead in her shower in 2020. Initial responders did not suspect foul play; however, the investigation took a dramatic turn when an insurance employee flagged Rebelo’s suspicious attempts to claim life insurance shortly after his mother’s sudden death. He had taken out three policies against her in the week leading up to her death, making himself the sole beneficiary.
During the trial, it was revealed that Rebelo had been struggling financially, claiming to be on the brink of a $500,000 windfall while being pursued by debt collectors. Despite presenting a façade of wealth alongside his former partner, model Grace Piscopo, the reality was starkly different. Authorities discovered that Rebelo had not made a profit in his trading endeavors for three years.
The court heard disturbing details of how Rebelo attempted to manipulate the situation post-mortem. He provided fraudulent documents, including a fake coroner’s report, to the insurance company in his quest for a payout. The Supreme Court ultimately determined that he used “personal violence” to kill his mother and staged the scene to look like a natural death.
The case highlights not only the depths of betrayal within familial bonds but also the lengths to which individuals will go in desperate financial circumstances. As the appeal process begins, the community remains on edge, awaiting further developments in this chilling story.
What happens next is critical. With the appeal looming, the implications of this case could ripple through the judicial system and beyond, raising questions about insurance fraud and family trust. Stay tuned for updates as this story continues to unfold.
