Major new development in the case of a cryptocurrency trader accused of murdering his mother and forging her will, while his influential girlfriend works to restore his profile
- André Rebelo charged with murder and fraud
- Charges may be combined for a single trial
- Gracie Piscopo from Rebelo’s girlfriend returns to social networks
The charges against the boyfriend of a popular influencer who is accused of murdering her mother and forging her will are likely to be combined.
It would mean Andre Rebelo, 26, of Perth, would face a jury on all counts if the matter went to trial.
Rebelo, the long-time boyfriend of social media star Gracie Piscopo, was accused in November for the death of his mother Colleen, 58, in Perth in May 2020.
Rebelo, a cryptocurrency trader, had previously been charged with five counts of forging a document with the intent to defraud.
The documents showed that Rebelo was accused of falsifying medical records related to his mother, including requests for information, a death certificate and her final will.
Andre Rebelo, the long-time partner of Instagram-famous model Gracie Piscopo, was charged in November in the death of his mother Colleen, 58, in Perth in May 2020.
Colleen Rebelo (pictured), 58, was found dead in her Bicton home in May 2020
Initially, Ms Rebelo’s death was not considered suspicious as she had no obvious signs of injury, but an investigation into her son’s alleged fraudulent dealings led to murder charges being filed more than two years later.
Rebelo pleaded not guilty to the fraud charges and was due to stand trial in the WA District Court in December.
The court heard Thursday that those charges will likely “be joined to another matter,” which would mean a trial on the murder and fraud charges, the Western Australia informed.
Ms Piscopo has remained quiet about her boyfriend’s charges and was absent from his court appearance on Thursday.
Rebelo, who is behind bars, is due to appear in court next month on the murder charge.
Ms. Piscopo, with whom Rebelo shares a four-year-old son, Romeo, has been conspicuously absent from her court appearances.
On Thursday, she shared a series of snapshots of her and Romeo having dinner, captioned “dinner with my best friend.”
He has also returned to his influential career, following a brief social media hiatus when Rebelo’s murder charges came to light.
Piscopo, also 26, used to share countless photos of her and her boyfriend on trips and exclusive events, but he has been absent from her social media accounts since her arrest.
Ms. Piscopo shared a series of snapshots of a dinner with her four-year-old son Romeo on Thursday.
She had also been unusually active on Instagram and shared her first professional post since November in February, wearing a Princess Polly outfit.
All comments on her latest posts have been restricted, and Ms. Piscopo now regularly shares snaps of herself on her social media accounts.
Ms. Piscopo She initially kept quiet about the Rebelo charges, but broke her silence in December to express her devastation over the ordeal.
“I would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding in my absence,” he wrote.
“For the past two weeks, I have been in a state of complete shock and complete disbelief, and I am deeply affected by the events that have unfolded.
“I am grateful for everyone who has reached out and sent love and support, this has been an extremely difficult time and my focus right now is the well-being of my son.”
