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 testified in her son Andre Zachary Rebelo’s murder trial that his patient was a fit and healthy woman at the time of her death.
“There were a few minor issues with her health, I don’t think anything was ignored and managed,” he said.
‘She had no serious health problems, she was really fit, she had no serious life-shortening or life-threatening problems.’
Dr. Barrett told the WA 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 practice before him.
“She had three major problems: an underactive thyroid, low bone density and gastritis,” said Dr. Barrett.
‘She also mainly saw me for a referral to a psychologist. I have drawn up a mental health plan several times to guide that process.’
Dr. Barrett said her thyroid problem is a “very easy disease to treat” with medications, and that she was taking medications to treat osteopenia and gastritis.
Andre Zachary Rebelo, who has a child 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 had carried out mental health assessments on Ms Rebelo in the years before her death and diagnosed her with generalized anxiety disorder.
Ms Rebelo’s doctor said she was not depressed but that her anxiety was caused by the breakdown of her marriage and the stress of having to support four children on her own.
“She had a great relationship with her children but didn’t feel like she had much support from friends or family,” he said.
“In July 2019, I would say she had a huge 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 set high standards for herself; I don’t think she was anything but prescient at any point.
‘I don’t think she was depressed or had any really negative thoughts, she just needed support because it was difficult for her, and her youngest Fabian had very serious health problems.
“Overall, she had a lot of concerns.”
Dr. Niall Barrett told the WA Supreme Court his patient Colleen Rebelo had no health conditions that would shorten her life at the time she died.
Andre Zachary Rebelo took out three life insurance policies on his mother in the week before her death, the court heard last week
Andre Zachary Rebelo is on trial for the murder of his mother. He has denied being guilty of the charges.
Last week, the court was told that Rebelo had taken out three life insurance policies against her in the week before her death.
Days after his mother died, Rebelo started the claims process to access insurance premiums.
The court was told he had submitted forged documents to one of the insurers, including false medical information about his mother, a coroner’s report and her last will.
He pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud relating to the forged documents.
Ms Rebelo’s cause of death has never been determined.
The court was told her death was unexpected but was not treated as suspicious by first responders who were called to Ms Rebelo’s home when she died.
Andre Zachary Rebelo, pictured with his former defacto Gracie Piscopo, took out three life insurance policies the week before his mother died. Image: Instagram
One of the insurers reported the incident to the police because he suspected fraud.
The process continues.