The mother of a man accused of killing her did not have any serious health problems that would have caused her death when she was found dead in her Perth home four years ago.
Colleen Rebelo’s doctor, Niall Barrett, gave evidence at her son Andre Zachary Rebelo’s murder trial saying his patient was a fit and healthy woman at the time of her death.
“There were some small issues with his health, I don’t think anything was being ignored and they were being managed,” he said.
“She didn’t have any serious health problems, she was really fit, she didn’t have any serious life-shortening or life-threatening problems.”
Dr. Barrett told the Washington Supreme Court that he had treated Ms. Rebelo for two and a half years before she died, and that she had seen other doctors in his office before him.
“I had three major problems: underactive thyroid, low bone density and gastritis,” Dr. Barrett said.
“She also saw me primarily to get a referral to a psychologist, I made a mental health care plan on a couple of occasions to help with that process.”
Dr. Barrett said her thyroid problem was a “very treatable disease” with medication and that she was taking medication to treat osteopenia and gastritis.
Andre Zachary Rebelo, who has a son with his ex Gracie Piscopo, is on trial for murder
Colleen Rebelo (pictured) was a fit and healthy woman when she died in 2020, the court heard.
He told the court he conducted mental health assessments with Ms Rebelo in the years before her death and diagnosed her with generalized anxiety disorder.
Rebelo’s doctor said she was not depressed, but that her anxiety had been triggered by the breakdown of her marriage and the stress of supporting her four children alone.
“She had a great relationship with her children, but she didn’t feel like she had much support from friends or family,” she said.
‘In July 2019, I would say she had a heavy burden of responsibility to support her children, she had raised them alone, she was working and studying to complete her master’s degree in public health policy.
‘She was very demanding of herself; I don’t think at any point she was anything other than looking to the future.
“I don’t think she was depressed or had really negative thoughts, she just needed support because it was difficult for her and her youngest son, Fabian, had really serious health problems.
“Overall, he had a lot to worry about.”
Dr Niall Barrett told the Washington Supreme Court that his patient Colleen Rebelo did not have any life-shortening health conditions at the time of her death.
Andre Zachary Rebelo took out three life insurance policies against his mother the week before her death, the court heard last week.
Andre Zachary Rebelo is on trial for the murder of his mother. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Last week, the court was told that Rebelo had taken out three life insurance policies against him in the week before his death.
Days after his mother’s death, Rebelo began the claims process to access insurance premiums.
The court was told he submitted falsified documents to one of the insurers, including false medical information about his mother, a forensic report and his last will and testament.
He pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud in relation to the forged documents.
The cause of Mrs. Rebelo’s death has never been established.
The court was told that while her death was unexpected, first responders who were called to Ms Rebelo’s home when she died did not treat her as suspicious.
Andre Zachary Rebelo, pictured with his de facto ex Gracie Piscopo, took out three life insurance policies the week before his mother died. Photo: Instagram
One of the insurers reported the claim to police after suspecting it was fraudulent.
The trial continues.