Major new development in the case of crypto trader accused of killing his mother and forging her will – while his influencer girlfriend works to restore her profile
- Andre Rebelo charged with murder and fraud
- The costs can be combined for one trial
- Gracie Piscopo, Rebelo’s girlfriend, returns to social media
The friend of a popular influencer accused of killing his mother and forging her will is likely to face charges.
It would mean 26-year-old Andre Rebelo of Perth would face one jury on all charges if the case went to trial.
Rebelo, the old friend of social media star Gracie Piscopo, was loaded November about 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 intent to defraud.
The documents revealed that Rebelo was charged with falsifying medical records related to his mother, including requests for information, a death certificate and her final will.
Andre Rebelo, the longtime partner of Insta-famous model Gracie Piscopo, was charged in November over the death of his mother Colleen, 58, in Perth in May 2020
Colleen Rebelo (pictured), 58, was found dead at her home in Bicton in May 2020
Ms Rebelo’s death was initially ruled not suspicious because she had no obvious signs of injury, but an investigation into her son’s alleged fraudulent dealings led to murder charges more than two years later.
Rebelo has pleaded not guilty to the fraud charges and is due to stand trial in December in WA District Court.
The court heard on Thursday that those charges will likely be “joined into another case,” which would mean a single trial for the murder and fraud charges, the Western Australian reported.
Ms Piscopo remained tight-lipped about her boyfriend’s allegations and did not attend his trial on Thursday
Rebelo, who is behind bars, is due to appear in court next month for murder.
Ms. Piscopo, with whom Rebelo shares a four-year-old son, Romeo, has been notably absent from his trials.
On Thursday, she shared a series of snaps of her and Romeo out to dinner, captioning it “dinner with my bestie.”
She has also returned to her influencing career, after a brief hiatus from social media when Rebelo’s murder allegations came to light.
Ms Piscopo, also 26, used to share numerous pictures of her and her boyfriend during trips and exclusive events, but he has been absent from her social media accounts since his arrest.
Ms Piscopo shared a series of photos at a dinner party with her four-year-old son Romeo on Thursday
She was also unusually active on Instagram, sharing her first professional post since November in February, wearing a Princess Polly outfit.
Comments on her latest posts have all been limited, and Ms. Piscopo now regularly shares photos of herself on her social media accounts.
Mrs Piscopo was initially tight-lipped about Rebelo’s accusations, but broke her silence in December to express her devastation over the ordeal.
“I want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding of my absence,” she wrote.
“For the past two weeks I have been in a complete state of shock and disbelief, and I have been deeply moved by the events that have unfolded.
“I am grateful to everyone who has reached out and sent love and support, this has been an extremely difficult time and my focus is now on my son’s well-being.”