In a chilling case that has shocked the Australian community, 29-year-old Andre Rebelo was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 25 years for the brutal murder of his mother, Colleen Rebelo, in May 2020. The Western Australian Supreme Court characterized his actions as the "ultimate betrayal," driven by a desperate need to maintain a lavish lifestyle funded by his mother's life insurance policy.
Justice Bruno Fiannaca, who presided over the case, described Rebelo's crime as a "monstrous act" that not only robbed a devoted mother of her life but also left a profound impact on her family, particularly on Rebelo's six-year-old son, who will grow up without his mother and with his father imprisoned.
The case unfolded when Colleen Rebelo's body was discovered in the shower of her home in Bicton, a suburb of Perth, by her youngest son, Fabian. Initially, her death was not deemed suspicious. However, just three days later, suspicion arose when Andre Rebelo attempted to claim over 1 million Australian dollars from three life insurance policies taken out in his mother's name. An employee from the insurance company alerted authorities, leading to a police investigation.
During the trial, it was revealed that Rebelo had meticulously planned the murder to secure the insurance payout. He had taken out three life insurance policies just a week before his mother's death, making himself the sole beneficiary. His financial struggles were significant; he was over $100,000 in debt and had failed in his attempts at cryptocurrency trading, which he had hoped would provide a substantial income to support his influencer girlfriend, Grace Piscopo.
Rebelo's online persona painted a glamorous picture of success, but behind the scenes, he was drowning in financial obligations. This pressure to maintain an extravagant lifestyle, coupled with his mounting debts, drove him to commit the unthinkable. According to the court, the murder was premeditated, with Rebelo staging his mother’s body in the shower to make it appear she died of natural causes.
Justice Fiannaca emphasized the calculated nature of the crime, stating, "You took your mother by surprise using personal violence," and criticized Rebelo for depriving her of dignity in death. The judge noted that the exact method of murder was uncertain, but asphyxiation was a possibility.
Rebelo denied killing his mother, claiming he believed she might have committed suicide, which prompted his quick action to claim the insurance. However, the court found this defense unconvincing, highlighting his admission of forgery in creating fake documents, including a coroner's report and a will, to support his fraudulent claims.
The sentencing hearing included a victim impact statement from Rebelo's twin sister, Monique, who expressed the family's immense grief over their mother's loss. She described Colleen as a loving and devoted person, underscoring the devastating impact of her murder on the family. Rebelo's father, Antonio, while supporting his son, admitted that they did not fully comprehend the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
As the trial concluded, the court was left to grapple with the repercussions of a crime fueled by greed and desperation. Andre Rebelo was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum of 25 years before he is eligible for parole. Additionally, he received a combined sentence of 13½ years for fraud, which will run concurrently with his murder sentence.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the lengths to which individuals may go when driven by financial desperation. The tragic outcome not only highlights the horrors of matricide but also the devastating effects of unchecked ambition and deceit on families and communities.
In the wake of this case, the community reflects on the importance of mental health and financial literacy, emphasizing the need for support systems to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. As Andre Rebelo begins his long sentence, the memory of Colleen Rebelo will linger, serving as a poignant reminder of the love and trust that was so brutally betrayed.
