‘Cold Blooded’ Crypto Investor Who Killed His Mom for Insurance Money Sentenced to 25 Years for ‘Monstrous Act’: Reports

Crypto Investor Sentenced to 25 Years for Killing His Mother for Insurance Money

An Australian cryptocurrency investor, Andre Zachary Rebelo, has been sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison for the murder of his mother, Colleen Rebelo, in order to claim her over $1 million life insurance policies. The Perth Supreme Court handed down the sentence on Tuesday, April 1, as reported by local media outlets including The Australian, WA Today, and the Australian Broadcast Corporation (ABC).

Colleen Rebelo, aged 58, was tragically found dead under the running shower in her home in Perth, Australia, in May 2020. Initially, her death was not considered suspicious, and an autopsy could not determine the cause. However, suspicions arose when Andre, her son, attempted to claim life insurance policies he had taken out against her just a week before her death with himself as the sole beneficiary.

During a seven-week trial last year, Andre was found guilty of the horrific crime. The court heard that he had set up the insurance policies with the intent of profiting from his mother’s death, as reported by The Australian. Andre, who was dating social media influencer and model Grace Piscopo at the time, had accumulated significant debt, over $100,000, and was living beyond his means.

Justice Bruno Fiannaca, while delivering the sentence, condemned Andre’s actions as a “monstrous act” that was part of a premeditated fraudulent scheme. Fiannaca highlighted the calculated and cold-blooded nature of the killing, stating that murdering his own mother was the ultimate betrayal of trust and everything she had provided.

In court, Andre insisted that he did not kill his mother, although he pleaded guilty to fraud charges. He admitted to forging documents such as his mother’s will and a coroner’s report to fraudulently claim a $500,000 payout from one of the insurance policies. The court also heard that Andre’s motive was driven by a desire for financial gain and a lavish lifestyle, despite the appalling consequences.

The sentencing was backdated to November 22, 2022, when Andre was taken into police custody. Following the verdict, Andre’s father, Antonio, expressed sadness for all families involved, maintaining uncertainty about the circumstances surrounding Colleen’s death. The case has shocked the local community and serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of greed and manipulation within families.

In a society where financial incentives sometimes drive heinous acts, this tragic case sheds light on the importance of ethical conduct and familial bonds. The court’s decision to hand down a significant sentence reflects the severity of the crime and aims to bring justice to the victim, Colleen Rebelo, whose life was taken in a calculated and heartless manner.