Hot water theory central to appeal over Perth man’s conviction for killing mother

1 week ago 4

Lawyers for convicted killer Andre Rebelo claim an unchallenged comment made by his younger brother during his trial proves he couldn’t have murdered his mother.

Rebelo, 29, was sentenced to 25 years’ jail over Colleen Rebelo’s death in April, five years after the 58-year-old was discovered dead in the shower of her Bicton home’s ensuite by her youngest son, Fabian.

Colleen Rebelo was killed by her son Andre because he wanted to claim on her life insurance.

During Rebelo’s trial, Fabian testified that when he discovered his mother’s body around 2.30pm on May 25, 2020, the water temperature was “just a regular temperature that you would use to shower in”.

Rebelo’s lawyers have now applied to overturn his conviction based on the statement, arguing it proves he couldn’t have killed his mother, as if he did, there would have been no hot water left in the shower’s gas hot water system.

The state’s case was that Rebelo killed his mother by an unknown violent means – most likely smothering – while visiting her house between 10.30am and 11.40am.

His motive for the “monstrous” crime was to claim $1.15 million in life insurance policies he had fraudulently set up in Colleen’s name in the weeks and months leading up to her sudden death.

Prosecutors alleged the desperate act was done to help Rebelo keep up appearances of the lavish lifestyle he lived with his then-girlfriend – social media influencer Grace Piscopo – when in reality he was a failed cryptocurrency trader with more than $100,000 debt.

Piscopo, who testified in her former boyfriend’s defence during his eight-week trial late last year, has never been accused of any involvement in Colleen’s death.

During Rebelo’s trial, Fabian testified the water was still running when he discovered his mother’s body in her ensuite shower after she had failed to pick him up from work.

Rebelo’s other brother, Julian, separately testified the Preston Point Road property used an “older-style” gas hot water system that had the capacity for 30 to 40 minutes of continuous hot water.

Monique, Andre, Fabian, Julian (inset) and Colleen Rebelo, with Grace Piscopo (centre).

Rebelo’s appeal documents claim the two pieces of evidence combined are “significant”.

“In combination [those matters] mean that someone must have turned on the hot water to the shower by around 1.50pm,” it read.

“In the absence of some other person entering the dwelling, the only person who could have turned on the hot water in the show was Ms Rebelo herself.

“She could not have done that if she had been killed by the appellant before 11.40pm.

“That would leave an event such as cardiac arrhythmia or an anaphylactic episode as the only plausible cause of death.”

The new theory Colleen must have stepped into the shower at 1.50pm at the earliest, comes amid evidence from her son, Fabian, that she was due to collect him from his workplace at 2pm, but never showed, forcing him to walk the 10-15 minutes home.

Rebelo is currently serving a 25-year jail sentence after being found guilty by a jury of murder and four counts of submitting forged documents.